Australia's Nuclear Future, page-594

Farmersvote in favour of nuclear plants, but oppose ban on new wind and solar

William Ton

23 JULY 2024 5:39 PM

NSW Farmers will advocate for nuclear power plants to be built inplace of retiring coal-fired stations despite a failed push to oppose newrenewable solar and wind projects.

Farmers and industry leaders from across the state were in onSydney on Tuesday for the annual NSW Farmers conference, where the topics ofenergy transition and future food production are on the table.

In an overwhelming vote, farmers and industry representativessupported the location of nuclear power plants at coal-fired power sites.

The federal opposition in June announced a policy to build nuclearplants on coal sites – two of which are located in NSW at the Liddell powerstation in the Hunter Valley and Mount Piper in Lithgow.

Farmer Ross Durham supported the coalition’s plan which he saidwould provide a baseline energy source for the state, while others argued therehad been an over-investment in “unreliable” renewables.

“We need to at least have (nuclear) as an option in the mix,” MrDurham said.

“The infrastructure are already there. The efficiencies are goingto be there.”

A dissenting farmer argued that like renewable projects, communitiesshould be offered an opportunity to be consulted about nuclear power.

A motion for a moratorium on industrial scale wind and solardevelopments in NSW did not pass and was sent to an association committee to bereviewed.

Those in favour of the moratorium said there was a lack oftransparency and safety concerns around projects, arguing they were onlycalling for a temporary halt.

There had been little transparency and consultation on theenvironmental impacts of large-scale renewable developments, Guyra farmer JamesJackson said.

Others argued the motion was based on ideology and renewableprojects were critical for the nation’s future power supply.

Premier Chris Minns and his agriculture and energy and environmentministers will address the conference on Wednesday.

William Ton

https://reneweconomy.com.au/farmers-vote-in-favour-of-nuclear-plants-but-oppose-ban-on-new-wind-and-solar/amp/