The impact on human health and the local environment of the Federal Coalition’s proposed nuclear power station in Port Augusta will be discussed at a community information session this Saturday.
Over 14,000 locals would be affected by a nuclear meltdown at Peter Dutton’s nuclear reactor according to recent research mapping nuclear plumes and evacuation zones, with 5 hospitals, 12 schools and 11 child care centres potentially engulfed.
Presenting at the community information session will be Dr Margie Beavis, a GP with expertise in the impacts of radiation on community health.
“If nuclear power is so safe, why did the French government issue iodine tablets to 2.2 million people living within 20 km of a reactor in 2019?,” said Dr Beavis.
“Iodine should be taken within 2 hours of an accident to reduce thyroid cancers.
“Will the community in Port Augusta and surrounds be issued with Iodine tablets?
“Will people have to always keep them handy?
“The tablets need to be kept cool, which is tricky.”
Sakyo Noda, who will also speak, monitored radiation after the Fukushima meltdown and has seen first hand the impacts on people, livestock and the environment.
‘We collected vegetables and marine products for sampling. Initially we found high concentrations of Iodine 131 in leafy vegetables.
“Exposure to Iodine 131 increases the risk of Thyroid cancer.
“We now have more than 300 young people with thyroid cancer. They were children in Fukushima when the nuclear disaster happened 14 years ago.”
Another guest speaker, and Port Augusta local, June Lennon will talk about her lived experience of the Maralinga nuclear tests.
Community members are invited to participate in the community forum and ask questions of community leaders, like Clinton Dadleh, and expert speakers.
“I see the construction of solar and wind farms in our district, we need to focus our energy on making sure this clean and green power and the employment benefits from it flow through to our communities, not get distracted by this nuclear nonsense,” said Mr Dadleh.
“This community forum is a chance for people to come and listen, to ask questions, to air their thoughts, and have a sandwich and cup of tea together and consider this nuclear proposal.
“This community does a lot of heavy lifting when it comes to the nuclear question. We have Olympic Dam up the road, we had atom bomb testing at Maralinga to our north, and recently they wanted a nuclear dump at Kimba, how many times do we have to say no?”
Local indigenous groups will be represented at this community forum.
For catering purposes registering at portaugustanukefree@gmail.com is recommended.
Join us at the Nuclear Power Community Information Session at 11am, Saturday March 29th, 2025 at the Port Augusta Cultural Centre “BARRACKS” Beauchamps Lane. MEDIA WELCOME
Contact: 0405 285 547
