Collie is one of seven towns across Australia where the federal Coalition plans to build a nuclear power plant, if elected. Local businesses and workers say they are concerned about the lack of detail since the plan was announced in July. The town will host federal parliament's inquiry into nuclear energy on Monday.
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00:00A town long known for one thing, coal. But that's changing slowly, with Collie's state-owned
00:09coal power station set to close by 2030, the WA government spending hundreds of millions
00:15of dollars on the transition.
00:17Hopefully, part of the just transition process, of course, is to attract new industries to
00:22Collie and there are a few of those in the pipeline.
00:25The Federal Opposition is hoping one of those is nuclear, but many in Collie say they need
00:31more detail on the Coalition's plan.
00:34We're not fully informed enough, I believe, and the Council believes, to have a debate
00:38about something that we really don't know enough about.
00:43Job wise, yes, it will be good for our town, but that's about all we know at the moment.
00:48Others have made up their mind.
00:50It's not going to happen because it will cost too much and there is no advantage to it.
00:55I feel that it doesn't line up with what Collie needs for a sustainable and healthy future.
01:02And some local businesses the ABC spoke to were unwilling to say where they stand on
01:07what's become a controversial issue for the small town.
01:11Some people say, yes, we're all in favour of it. Other people are saying, no, we don't
01:14want it. So, you know, you've got this bit of a difference.
01:18The last time Opposition leader Peter Dutton visited the town, he received a frosty reception
01:23from some.
01:24If you want to do work on our land, come and talk to us.
01:27The consultation so far doing little to ease concerns.
01:31You're very weak, Mr Dutton.
01:33Elders and traditional owners here in Collie are pretty much, yeah, not willing to give
01:38consent to a nuclear reactor being built here.
01:42They'll get the chance to have their say at a public hearing in Collie on Monday, part
01:47of a federal inquiry exploring the viability of nuclear power in Australia.