A coalition of 40 Illawarra groups has urged the Federal Government to rule out Port Kembla as a potential site for a nuclear submarine base. Photo: Mel Barnes.
After decades as an industrial hub, Port Kembla is the site of several ambitious plans to shake up Wollongong’s economy.
Wollongong City Council is full steam ahead on a push to have NSW’s newest cruise terminal installed at Port, while the State Government thinks it has potential for renewable energy generation.
It’s also on a list of sites being considered as the home of Australia’s proposed nuclear submarine fleet.
Australia will spend up to $368 billion dollars to acquire a total of eight nuclear submarines as part of the AUKUS defence pact struck between Australia, the UK and the US in 2021.
Where those submarines will be based is still up for debate, however, and a coalition of 40 Illawarra and South Coast groups have banded together to demand Port Kembla be taken off the list of possibilities.
The Port Kembla Declaration came about after Wollongong Against War And Nukes (WAWAN) put the call out.
WAWAN member Gem Romuld said they were overwhelmed by the response from health, faith, environment, union, creative, social justice and political groups.
Three branches of the Australian Labor Party signed the declaration – Thirroul Labor, North Nowra-Bomaderry ALP, and Dapto Labor.
“We believe a nuclear submarine base at Port Kembla would exclude many of the other plans for our port, like clean energy and cruise ships,” Gem said.
“We don’t want the risks associated with a nuclear base with nuclear reactors present there.
“The Illawarra has a strong, proud history of calling for peace, and that history is ongoing today.
“Military industries only bring harm; they are not about creating the future we want for our region.
“There are far greater needs in our community that deserve funding and the AUKUS submarine program is robbing us of the things we actually do need.
“We hope with this declaration the government is put on notice that the community of the Illawarra will staunchly oppose the imposition of a nuclear submarine base and work in solidarity with any other community targeted for one on the east coast as well.”
It is understood Port Kembla and Newcastle are the two main sites on the east coast being considered as potential bases.
The declaration highlights concerns with the health and safety risks that could result from a major or minor incident at the base.
Signatories say they are concerned by the lack of community consultation, and there has been no information provided about how radioactive waste from the facility would be dealt with.
Tina Smith, president of the South Coast Labour Council said even without an incident, a nuclear submarine base would fundamentally change the character of the Illawarra.
“We reject the idea of turning our region into a frontline for war games or nuclear escalation,” she said.
“The risks — environmental, social, and strategic — are too great, and the community has not been properly consulted.”
