Thursday, December 12
Political hearings in Perth and Collie next week will hear from 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 Collie.
Local doctors, parents and campaigners advocating for WA's renewable energy future 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 community, including:
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Water supply and usage
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Health, wellbeing and safety of people living in the region
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Energy security as coal-fired power stations retire
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The impact on kids’ futures if there are further delays to cutting climate pollution
There will also be creative demonstrations opposing nuclear power at the Perth Hearing - 191 St Georges Terrace - on the 17th of December between 12 and 1pm.
Ahead of the hearings in Collie on Monday, December 16, and in Perth on Tuesday, December 17, the below spokespeople are available for media comment.
To arrange interviews, please contact:
Sean Kennedy on 0447 121 378 or sean.kennedy@climatemediacentre.org.au
For information on the Perth demonstration and for onsite interview requests at the Perth hearing, please contact:
Jesse Noakes on 0401 233 965 or jesse.noakes@ccwa.org.au
Mia Pepper, Campaigns Director at the Conservation Council of WA. Mia Pepper is an expert in nuclear energy and uranium mining. She was formerly an Australian Conservation Foundation councillor and Mineral Policy Institute deputy chair. She has a Murdoch University master’s in environmental science.
Location: Perth.
Sonya Elek is a mother of two and lives with her family in Padbury, WA. She has worked as a music teacher for over 20 years, and volunteers with numerous climate and environmental groups, including Parents for Climate; she also works as a Community Organiser for the Conservation Council of WA.
Location: Perth.
Dr Carolyn Orr is a WA neurologist and public speaker. She is on the Board of Doctors for the Environment, Australia. She communicates the connections between human health and our environment. She speaks regularly on climate change, pollution, fossil fuels and biodiversity loss; and how these interact to harm human health.
Location: Perth.
Dr Colin Huges, Former Head of Public Health, Member IPAN DEA MAPW. Colin can speak on the issues of nuclear safety in regards to mining, processing and nuclear accidents, and their potential impacts on first responders, local communities, aged and infant care, hospital resources and the long term consequences to health and safety.
Location: Perth.
Jaime Yallup is the coordinator of the Climate Justice Union and is able to arrange interviews with local Collie Nyoongar elders.
Location: Collie.
KA Garlick is the Co-convenor of Nuclear Free WA and has campaigned on nuclear issues for over two decades. In her time campaigning she has visited communities across Japan (including Fukushima) and the US to bear witness to the impacts of the nuclear industry.
Location: Perth.
Fraser Maywood is the chair of Sustainable Energy Now (SEN) and an engineer with over 40 years international experience in the Oil & Gas industry. SEN carries out independent energy modelling on the WA South West Interconnected System to inform its clean energy advocacy and public education activities. Fraser is also a member of Electrify WA and Electrify 6158.
Location: Perth.
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Contact details:
Sean Kennedy on 0447 121 378 or sean.kennedy@climatemediacentre.org.au
