MELBOURNE, March 11, 2025 - Almost 200,000 Australians would be at risk of a nuclear accident if Peter Dutton’s proposed nuclear scheme goes ahead, according to new research released today by Don’t Nuke the Climate.
The research maps pollution plumes and evacuation zones recorded after the 2011 meltdowns, fires and explosions at the Fukushima nuclear power station over the Coalition’s seven proposed reactor sites.
These interactive maps should serve as a wake up call for anyone living near one of Peter Dutton’s proposed reactor sites, according to Dr Jim Green, who led the project.
KEY FINDINGS:
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Almost 200,000 Australians live in 245 towns and suburbs within 30km evacuation zones of the seven sites
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33 hospitals and medical centres are located within 30km evacuation zones of the seven sites
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99 schools and 62 daycares are located within 30km evacuation zones of the seven sites
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Radioactive pollution can spread over 200km from the reactor site, putting even more communities at risk
“For the first time, Australians can visualise how their community could be affected by a nuclear accident,” said Dr Green.
The maps enable users to adjust for wind direction to see how far a pollution plume from an accident could potentially spread across their community, and if it would cover their home, workplace, or local school.
“This interactive map is being released on the 14th anniversary of the Fukushima nuclear disaster in Japan, which resulted in thousands of deaths, the evacuation of over 190,000 people, and economic costs amounting to many hundreds of billions of dollars,” Dr. Green said.
“The Fukushima experience raises uncomfortable questions for Peter Dutton about emergency preparedness, pre-distribution of iodine tablets to reduce the number of thyroid cancers, evacuation zones, the insurance industry’s refusal to insure against nuclear accidents, and much more.”
“A nuclear accident at one of Dutton’s seven proposed sites would cause profound disruption, dislocation, and displacement to Australian communities. People living near the proposed sites of the reactors deserve to know the risk Dutton is imposing on them,” Dr Green added.
Associate Professor Dr Tilman Ruff AO warns that health risks are not just limited to nuclear accidents, stating “the routine radiation releases from nuclear power plants more than double the risk of leukemia for young children living close to a nuclear reactor.”
“The best medicine is always prevention – preventing risk of harmful exposures by not building nuclear reactors in the first place."
Wendy Farmer, a Gippsland local who lives near the proposed nuclear site at Loy Yang in Victoria knows first hand how damaging energy accidents can be.
"This community lived through months of extreme pollution from the Hazelwood mine fire, we all know how bad that was. A nuclear accident would be so much worse, nobody should be expected to put their families at that kind of risk.”
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For more information, to obtain region-specific data, or to arrange an interview, please contact Nelli Stevenson on 0481 303 815 or Kirsten Blair on 0412 853 641
NOTES FOR EDITORS:
The maps are available at https://nuclearplume.au
To access videos and GIFs of the maps, as well as the full list of schools, daycares, hospitals and medical centres click here
To view population data, click here
Key Facts:
Radiation from a nuclear accident at one of Dutton's proposed nuclear sites cold reach as far as Sydney, Perth, and Melbourne, with 200,000 people at risk of evacuation.
About us:
Don’t Nuke the Climate Australia is a project dedicated to the clean energy transition, effective climate action, and avoiding the delay and distraction of the false solution of nuclear.
Contact details:
Nelli Stevenson on 0481 303 815 or Kirsten Blair on 0412 853 641