Brett Peterson, Tony McGrady, Phil Barwick, Joyce McCulloch reveal thoughts on Mount Isa’s nuclear potential

North West Queenslanders are open to the idea of nuclear power production in their backyard, but they still have questions. Here’s what they said.

Mount Isa locals are open to the idea of nuclear power production in Outback Queensland due to potential economic benefits, although experts will need to address nuclear waste concerns.

The area was rich in uranium including the Valhalla deposit 40kms northwest of Mount Isa which these residents consider could be of benefit to local power stations if such mining was approved by the state government.

The Newman Government’s pro-uranium legislation was overturned after Labor won the state election in 2015.

Mount Isa mining businessman Brett Peterson said nuclear was “the best option we’ve got” to further open up the North West Minerals Province, although recognised the CopperString project’s benefits to the Townsville economic corridor.

“The amount of power we need, we are not going to see that through wind, solar and geothermal,” Mr Peterson said.

Brett Peterson at the site of the now disused Mary Kathleen uranium mine at Mount Isa in Central Queensland.

“We need a lot more than that, and to give us that baseload we need either coal fired stations or look outside that and start looking at uranium.”

CopperString 2032 RRG chairman, and former Mount Isa mayor Tony McGrady, said he had a neutral position regarding nuclear power stations in his hometown, but was uncertain as to why Katter’s Australian Party was hosting the forum.

Robbie Katter is staging the Mount Isa Nuclear Energy forum this week.

“I don’t have a view at this stage, I want to see what they come up with, but I think we should be rejoicing in Powerlink invested by the Queensland Government, which guarantees power (for the North West) for a long time to come,” Mr McGrady said.

“I don’t know why they (Katters) are getting involved in nuclear power.

“The situation is that the Queensland Government supported additional power in the North West by purchasing the Powerlink project.”

Mount Isa deputy mayor Phil Barwick said he personally would like to see the return of uranium mining to the region but that it should be value-added by refining it, before using it locally or by exporting.

Former Mount Isa Mayor Joyce McCulloch (right) and current Deputy Mayor Phil Barwick.

Nuclear energy is currently the most expensive new energy generation available, according to the CSIRO, with solar and wind energy significantly cheaper.

Cr Barwick said long-term pricing from CopperString would mean better pricing for industry and business, but that it would not necessarily mean cheaper prices for residents.

“Clearly the Katter Party wants to look at it,” he said.

“I think we need to hear that and we need to see what it means for somewhere like the North West.

“Energy is important around the world including Australia.

“To see it on the agenda is important.”

Tony McGrady. Picture: Shae Beplate.

Former mayor and businesswoman Joyce McCulloch did not know about the forum and was unable to attend due to work, but said she would have loved to have been able to attend.

“What do we really know about it except the scaremongering and the historical stuff that has happened?” she asked.

“A lot of thought around nuclear is the waste product it produces, how is it going to be gotten rid of?

“Well, technology has come a long way, it simply is about education and politics has to stay out of it.”

Robbie Katter is ready to fight the halls of parliament to push for nuclear power generation in northern outback Queensland after listening to roundtable panelists on Wednesday.

“Well, quite frankly a lot of people in Mount Isa wouldn’t mind it in their backyard if they don’t have to pay a fortune for electricity.

“We’ve got a pretty easy job of debating this in parliament and it’s just got to take time.”

Mr Katter said the political will from major parties was to create a low carbon economy, but that the avoidance of nuclear was not going to make this position sustainable.

“Australia is the only person at the races backing the one dodgy horse when the rest of the world are more discerning punters spreading their risk.

“The biggest reason we’re getting a flat no at the moment is we can’t, it costs too much.

“Last time I checked that’s not a reason to ban something.”

Queensland LNP Senator Susan McDonald speaking in Townsville on June 6, 2023. Picture: Blair Jackson.

Shadow Resources Minister Susan McDonald supported the prospect of nuclear power being generated in outback Queensland and said new technologies such as micro reactors were possibilities.

She said projects were not as high as initially recorded when considering how the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation operated in Sydney.

“It’s an industry that requires a well trained workforce in places like Mount Isa and Gladstone,” Ms McDonald said.

“We have those people.

“It is absolutely essential that we have power for more mining projects to come online, and for new value-add projects to come online.”

Cloncurry Mayor Greg Campbell. Picture: Liam Kidston

Cloncurry Mayor Greg Campbell was open to the idea of nuclear power but wanted to see how future projects would have a bearing on power prices.

“I would think we’ll need to see how the introduction of Copperstring affects electricity price and supply in the North West before we can make a real decision on the need and viability of nuclear,” Cr Campbell said.

Queensland Resources Minister Scott Stewart said there was no change in the government’s policy in banning uranium mining and considered it “longstanding.”

“Under the Palaszczuk Government, there’s been more than $21bn worth of new investment in resources projects, creating 8000 jobs,” he said.

“As a government we know here are huge opportunities for the resources sector, particularly for critical minerals, which will create good jobs and be key to delivering our Energy and Jobs plan.”

Originally published as Brett Peterson, Tony McGrady, Phil Barwick, Joyce McCulloch reveal thoughts on Mount Isa’s nuclear potential