Nats host nuclear forums in Coffs Harbour and Port Macquarie Camden Haven Coffs Coast by News Of The Area - Modern Media - November 1, 2024November 1, 2024 Organisers say close to 300 people were in attendance across the two nights. THE former President of the Australian Nuclear Association spoke to the benefits of nuclear power generation in both Port Macquarie and Coffs Harbour last week. At the events organised by Federal Member for Cowper Pat Conaghan, nuclear exponent Robert Parker provided an overview of technology that has been developed and rolled out in other countries and the potential advantages of adding nuclear to Australia’s energy mix. Advertise with News of The Area today. It’s worth it for your business. Message us. Phone us – (02) 4981 8882. Email us – media@newsofthearea.com.au Mr Parker has previously investigated advances in the nuclear fuel cycle for power generation and developed public information programs into nuclear energy, radiation and reactor safety, as well as uranium resource development. Organisers say close to 300 people were in attendance across the two nights. Mr Conaghan said the National Party has been “actively interested in the potential of nuclear power in Australia’s energy mix for some time now”. “Based on the reliance on nuclear energy in other developed countries around the world when it comes to securing base load power, it isn’t an option that we believe Australia as a nation should blindly rule out,” Mr Conaghan said. Mr Parker said the events were an opportunity to “present some of the challenges that our current energy network faces, and the technology we currently have at our disposal to address them”. “The participants tendered a great range of well-constructed and thought through questions, varying from concerns around the cost to the potential delivery timeline and also the environmental risks and overall transition plan when it comes to decommissioning our current coal fired power stations,” Mr Parker said. The International Atomic Energy Agency has predicted nuclear power plants could take from ten to fifteen years to build in Australia, while Australian Energy Regulator chair Clare Savage said a regulatory framework for nuclear power generation would take up to ten years to create. At a parliamentary inquiry on Monday, Australian Nuclear Association secretary John Harries warned Australia might need to build twice as many nuclear power plants as currently planned to meet energy demands in 2050. This could require as many as 100 nuclear reactors, Dr Harries said.
