Thursday, November 28
A political hearing in Traralgon next week will hear from Latrobe Valley locals on their opposition to building nuclear reactors in the region.
The federal Parliament’s select committee on nuclear energy is looking into a scheme from the Coalition to build nuclear reactors at sites around the country, including in the Latrobe Valley.
Local doctors, former coal workers, and other members of the community are speaking out against the scheme, saying that the community wants investment in safe and reliable renewable power, not this proposal to put risky nuclear reactors in the region.
They are concerned about the risks of having a nuclear reactor in the Latrobe Valley, including:
- Water supply and usage in the Latrobe Valley
- Health, wellbeing and safety of people living in the region
- Energy security as coal-fired power stations retire
- The impact on kids’ futures if there are further delays to cutting climate pollution
Ahead of the hearing on Tuesday, December 3, the below spokespeople are available for media comment.
To arrange interviews, please contact:
Emily Watkins | 0420 622 408 | emily.watkins@climatemediacentre.org.au
Tony Wolfe, former senior plant operator at Latrobe Valley coal power station with 40 years experience, board member of Gippsland Climate Change Network and member of community advisory groups for Star of the South offshore wind farm and Delburn Wind Farm.
Location: Warragul, Victoria
Chris Barfoot, engineer and scientist with extensive experience in all aspects of power generation gained from over 30 years working in the power stations and mines of the Latrobe Valley. He is a member of the Gippsland Climate Change Network and is the Project Officer for the Latrobe Valley Community Power Hub.
Location: Latrobe Valley, Victoria
Dr Jo McCubbin, paediatrician, president of Australian Paediatric Society and member of Doctors for the Environment Australia. Dr McCubbin was on the EPA’s Community Panel investigating Air Quality Monitoring in the Latrobe Valley, and she was also a member of the Clinical Reference Group for the Hazelwood Health Study. She was also a board member of Gippsland Climate Change Network until last year.
Location: Sale, Victoria
Dr Rob Phair, rural generalist doctor and member of Doctors for the Environment who works on Gunaikurnai country (Bairnsdale) in Eastern Victoria. He is a past president of Rural Doctors Association Victoria and has a strong interest in health advocacy and the politics of rural health. His health advocacy interests include climate action, active transport (especially cycling) and air pollution.
Location: Bairnsdale, Victoria
Wendy Farmer, president of Latrobe Valley community group Voices of the Valley, which involves grassroots community members advocating for a cleaner environment, health, the energy transition and community energy, and supporting other groups to create people power, in Latrobe Valley,
Location: Latrobe Valley, Victoria
Stephanie Sabrinskas, filmmaker, impact producer and activist based on Gunaikurnai Land in the Latrobe Valley, Australia. Her work explores Australia’s coal reliance, including documenting the renewable energy transition through Gippsland in film (After the Smoke) and podcast (Coal Face). In 2024, her work was recognised by the Centre for Cooperative Research Transformations in Mining Economy through their Community Champion award and also received Environment Victoria's Community Leadership award.
Location: Latrobe Valley, Victoria
