Queenslanders rally against nuclear delay tactics at public inquiry, demanding real climate action now

Queenslanders gathered in force today outside a public inquiry at the Hotel Grand Chancellor into nuclear energy generation, demanding an end to nuclear "delay tactics" that block urgent climate action.

With storm season looming and Queensland already feeling the brunt of escalating climate impacts, protesters spoke against nuclear as a dangerous, costly distraction that will halt genuine progress towards climate action.

Queensland Conservation Council Deputy Director Anthony Gough said

Nuclear is not a legitimate energy option for Queensland – it’s a costly delay tactic and a 'Forever Plan' for coal and gas.

Queenslanders are already facing severe climate impacts – from devastating heatwaves to longer bushfire seasons and sea level rises that are threatening communities in the Torres Strait.

These communities deserve real climate action that responds to our immediate needs, not false promises which won’t come online for 20 years, if ever.

Every minute spent debating nuclear reactors is a minute wasted. Queensland's ageing coal plants are still churning out pollution, while our state faces worsening heat, storms, and flooding risks.

This Federal Government inquiry has heard concerns from regional Queenslanders around the risks of nuclear reactors in their communities, and the impact on our precious water resources which are already stretched to breaking. We share those concerns.

Regional Queensland and future generations simply can't afford the toxic legacy of nuclear energy. No country in the world has a long term solution for nuclear waste, which can last 100,000 years.

At the same time, there is no plan for where the massive water resource will come from that can feed a nuclear power plant’s insatiable thirst for water and provide adequate emergency reserves in case of a nuclear emergency.

Right now, clean, cheap and reliable renewable energy is already being rolled out across the state. Recent surveys indicate that 72% of Australians favour renewables over nuclear power.

Queensland has the most household rooftop solar installations in the country, some of the best natural access to wind and sun, and continues to see the benefit of investment in new renewable energy jobs.

We need to stick to the plan for a 100% renewable energy future to safeguard Queensland communities and ensure our energy remains safe, clean and cheap for future generations.

Queensland Conservation Council will appear as an expert witness before the public inquiry, which has already held sittings in Nanango and Biloela – towns flagged for nuclear reactors by the Federal Coalition. In Nanango, the inquiry heard from Traditional Owners including Peta May, who spoke out against the impact a nuclear reactor would have on their community.

Bujiebara Traditional Owner Peta May said

No one wants the waste on their land whether it is native title, private property or commercial. As the number of reactors grows this problem would increase exponentially.

Biodiversity, landscapes, agricultural land and surrounding communities could all be affected negatively.

The alternative is to pay another country to take our waste, making the cost even higher.​ None of that is fair or just. We don’t want it, and we don’t need it on our land or anywhere in Australia.

Speakers:
Anthony Gough, Deputy Director, QCC, and Wayne Wharton, President, Brisbane Aboriginal Sovereign Embassy

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