‘Not here or anywhere else’: rallies against NSW nuclear-submarine base

More than a thousand protesters are preparing to rally against plans to establish a nuclear-powered submarine base in regional NSW.

Event organisers said they are seeking to “send a clear message that (they) don’t want a nuclear submarine base here or anywhere else”.

More than a thousand people have gathered on the streets of Wollongong to protest plans to establish a local base for the nuclear-powered submarines at the heart of the AUKUS agreement.

Port Kembla was named alongside Newcastle and Brisbane as three potential locations for a new east coast base by the former Morrison government.

Members of the Australian Labor Party and union representatives joined members of Wollongong Against War and Nukes (WAWAN) at Port Kembla on Saturday to protest the proposed base.

Event organisers said they are seeking to “send a clear message that (they) don’t want a nuclear submarine base here or anywhere else”. Picture: Melanie Barnes.

They're opposing the federal government's plans to establish a regional nuclear submarine base at Port Kembla. Picture: Melanie Barnes.

Event organisers said they are seeking to “send a clear message that (they) don’t want a nuclear submarine base here or anywhere else”.

WAWAN member Alexander Brown, who has lived in the area for 20 years, said the establishment of such a base would hamper the region’s transition into the renewable energy industry.

The grassroots activist said he is expecting around a thousand protesters to join Saturday’s rally.

“This is pointless war mongering by Americans in the region,” he said.

“What we need now more than ever is a rapid transition into a renewable economy and peace in the region.

“We don’t want it here or anywhere else.”

Port Kembla was named alongside Newcastle and Brisbane as a potential site for a new east coast base by the former Morrison government. Picture: Melanie Barnes.

Mr Brown said the former government announced the location as a possible submarine base without any “discussion, debate or public consultation”.

“We were blindsided,” he said.

The protest comes on the same day that acting prime minister Richard Marles announced the establishment of a new agency to deliver the nation’s nuclear program.

Locals said they were blindsided by the proposal to build the base in their local community. Picture: Melanie Barnes.

Mr Marles said the new Australian Submarine Agency (ASA) would ensure delivery of the government’s “commitment” to acquire nuclear-powered submarines.

“The ASA will be responsible and accountable for delivering the ambitious program to acquire Australia’s nuclear-powered submarines,” he said in a statement.

“A specialised and dedicated regulator … will ensure we have the highest standards of nuclear safety and radiological protection across the life cycle of Australia’s nuclear-powered submarines.”

The acting prime minister revealed the establishment of the Australian Submarine Agency this week. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Christian Gilles

Both federal and state politicians attended the rally, including NSW Greens senator David Shoebridge, who addressed the crowd, telling them there’s a great chance to build a renewable energy hub at Port Kembla.

The march started at noon on the corner of Wentworth St and Darcy Rd.

The Albanese government announced it would make a decision on an east coast base later this decade, following a strategic review last month.

The government decided it will consider other sites for the submarine base as well as the three put forward by Scott Morrison last year.

Originally published as ‘Not here or anywhere else’: rallies against NSW nuclear-submarine base