N-reactor mooted for Tassie

Hobart Mercury
Thursday 12/6/2008 Page: 11

THE nation's nuclear chief Ziggy Switkowski, who headed the Howard government nuclear energy task force, says Tasmania is the right type of place to consider a nuclear reactor. "I think subsequent generations of smaller reactors designed for smaller populations, mining towns and industries like smelting, might find a market and a home in places like Tasmania," he told ABC Radio yesterday.

Dr Switkowski's trip to Hobart yesterday was to speak at the Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry's Facing the Sustainability Challenge Seminar 2008. Australian Greens senator and climate change spokeswoman Christine Milne said the suggestion that Tasmania could have a nuclear reactor in 30-40 years could not be taken seriously. "It's a nonsense idea." she said. "Nobody in Tasmania will take him seriously." She said Tasmanians' views would not change in 40 years and they would not want nuclear energy.

"What would that do for Tasmania's clean, green image." she said. "There can be no logical explanation for Dr Switkowski coming to Tasmania and proposing a nuclear reactor when Tasmania has enormous resources of and potential for renewable energy from wind and ocean power and much more." TCCI chief executive Damon Thomas said the seminar was productive.

Dr Switkowski is the chairman of the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, the country's nuclear research and development body and the centre of nuclear expertise. It has suggested up to 25 nuclear energy stations could be built along the east coast to help provide for the nation's growing energy requirements.