Stuart MP Geoff Brock says phone blowing up as Dutton nuclear plan leaves Port Augusta searching for answers

The state MP whose seat could house a nuclear power plant says the Opposition Leader’s announcement has sparked a surge of questions from locals.

• Revealed: Sites of Coalition’s proposed nuclear power plants

The MP who represents the state seat which could house a nuclear power station says he has been taking calls from constituents worried about the proposal and what it could mean for the regional city.

But independent Stuart MP Geoff Brock said he had been unable to answer the questions because he has not been briefed on the proposal by the Liberal Party or its leader Peter Dutton.

“They are trying to understand what it’s all about,’’ Mr Brock said.

“When’s it going to happen? How’s it going to happen? What rights have they got? How are they going to be communicated with?

TELL US WHY IN THE COMMENTS

“There’s none of that information out there and its created so much uncertainty. For some people its very stressful.’’However, Mr Brock said it was important to remain “calm’’ about the Liberal proposal until more information was known.

Port Augusta mayor Linley Shine declined to comment.

However, Giles Labor MP Eddie Hughes said the proposal to build a nuclear power station in Port Augusta could divide the community.

Mr Hughes electorate includes part of Port Augusta.

Federal Opposition leader Peter Dutton on Wednesday. Picture: Nikki Short

Stuart MP Geoff Brock. Picture: Keryn Stevens

“In areas with relatively high unemployment, projects are welcome but I think this will divide the community,’’ he said.

“There will be some who are pro and some who are anti, but I think the thing to focus on is communities like Whyalla, like Port Augusta have had all these promises in the past that have not been delivered.’’

Mr Hughes said while he didn’t have a “reflexive antinuclear view’’, he didn’t think nuclear would add up economically, given the projected growth of renewable energy that will happen before the first nuclear power station comes opens close to 2040.

He also said with so much renewable energy in the region that was already using the transmission lines, a new nuclear plant would also require new transmission capacity to be built.

Liberal Member for Grey Rowan Ramsey. Picture: AAP/Mick Tsikas

The demolition of the Northern Power station in Port Augusta. Picture: Supplied

“We have multiple energy options in Australia and nuclear just does not stack up,’’ he said.

Federal Liberal MP Rowan Ramsey, whose electorate of Grey also includes Port Augusta, said a nuclear power plant would be a boon for the region.

Mr Ramsey said the construction and operation of a nuclear power plant would “provide hundreds of high tech, high paid jobs’’ and attract more industry to the region.

The MP said the plan was to consult the local community for the next two and a half years and provide “clear, concise back-up material for their consideration’’.

“There is an urgency here for SA,” he said. “Last year 71 per cent of our electricity came from renewables, double the next highest state, Victoria, but that achievement has also delivered Australia’s highest retail electricity cost by a margin of 50 per cent.’’