By LIAM DURKIN
ANTI-NUCLEAR demonstrators gathered in Traralgon’s Kay Street Gardens last week to have their voices heard.
The demonstration took place hours before the House Select Committee into Nuclear Energy was scheduled to host its regional hearing at The View Function Centre.
Speakers took to the microphone to voice their concern surrounding the potential use of nuclear power in the Latrobe Valley.
Speakers included Australian Conservation Foundation Nuclear Policy Analyst, Dave Sweeney and Gunaikurnai and Monero woman Electra Greene, who is an Environment Victoria organiser.
The Coalition has identified Loy Yang (scheduled for closure in 2035) as a possible site for a nuclear power station, offering a diversification to Labor’s renewables-only approach.
A number of locals however are vehemently opposed to the idea, believing a nuclear future was not worth pursuing.
At the Traralgon demonstration (held Tuesday, December 3), chants of “too costly, too slow, too risky, we say no” rang out.
Environment Victoria and prominent Latrobe Valley campaigner Hayley Sestokas emceed the event.
“Nuclear is just not worth the risk – the risk of disasters like Fukashima and Chernobyl, the risk of cost and time blowouts. The risk of toxic waste and contamination, harming our families and prime farming land for generations,” she said.
“For years we’ve been working together to achieve the shift to clean, renewable energy, which is now underway, bringing benefits and creating good jobs.
“Dutton’s nuclear scheme, imposed on us with minimal information and no community consultation, risks setting us back by decades.”
Ms Seskotas is calling on local MPs to attend a community forum next February.
With next year’s federal election fast approaching, the energy debate is expected to be a major player when Australian’s go to the polls.
In a good show of democratic law, the demonstration was entirely peaceful. Three police officers were in attendance, but left once it became clear there was going to be no tomfoolery.
