Nuclear reactor plan under fire

Nuclear reactor plan under fire

By Bill Mason

BRISBANE — Conservationists have condemned a proposal by mining giant MIM to build a nuclear reactor at Mount Isa, capable not only of conducting research but of generating 20 to 50 megawatts of electric power.

The submission to a federal government inquiry concerns debate on whether the existing nuclear research facility at Sydney's Lucas Heights should be rebuilt or alternative sites considered.

Queensland Conservation Council coordinator Nicky Hungerford rejected the proposal: "They want to provide nuclear power. We've already got more than enough power in Queensland.

"We do not support any nuclear reactors in Queensland or Australia. We should be looking into alternative power supplies such as solar and wind-generated power, not this."

Greens state convener and Senate candidate Drew Hutton warned of a push for a new nuclear industry in Australia.

Greenpeace spokesperson Phyllis Campbell said the nuclear plan was poor economics and energy inefficient.

Democratic Socialist candidate for Griffith Dr Coral Wynter condemned the MIM proposal as "environmental madness".

"The last thing Australia needs right now is an expansion of the nuclear or uranium mining industry. We should be utilising our huge solar and wind power resources to provide non-polluting and non-destructive power for the future", she said.

From GLW issue 92