Port Augusta community reveal local sport clubs won’t survive without construction of nuclear power station

Community sport clubs in Port Augusta are on the brink of collapse, locals say, unless the proposed construction of a nuclear power station goes ahead.

A sense of optimism and hope has gripped the people of Port Augusta, with the prospect of a nuclear power plant bringingnew life to the seaside city.

The community took a hit to the “heart” when the power station shut down a decade ago, but that could all change if PeterDutton wins office and has his way.

Now locals are hoping the proposal by the Coalition leader to build a nuclear power station on the old site will not onlyreinvigorate the city, but bring back a little light to local sport, perhaps even save it.

The power station was a significant local employer, it drove the local economy, and supported local sporting clubs through sponsorship, volunteers and participants.

Multiple clubs across a number of sports have suffered a monumental decrease in registration numbers since the 2016 closure of the 520MW Northern Power Station – which also resulted in a loss of sponsorship to the teams.

Now locals are hoping the proposal by Coalition Leader Peter Dutton to build a nuclear power station on the old site will bring back a little light to local sport, perhaps even save it.

Mr Bailey with his niece Rheanon Bailey, 37, and her daughters, Harley Rose, 14, and Mia, 6. Picture: Dean Martin

Former West Augusta Cricket Club president Greg Bailey said losing the original power station – and hundreds of families with it – was a “deep-seeded loss” for the community.

“We’ve not just lost sponsorship – we’ve lost families, which means we’ve lost junior and adult playing cricketers,” Mr Bailey said. “That’s not just in cricket, it’s in footy and netball as well so you haven’t got those families coming back for dinners and a few drinks.

“Our club is 110 years old and at the moment, we’re concerned for our future. We’ve got a long legacy. The opportunity for a power plant to be built at Port Augusta and employ around 400 people is really exciting for our community.

“We’re more concerned about bums on seats – to bring people and families back to our community.”

Mr Bailey is optimistic that a new power plant would be good for the town. Picture: Dean Martin

Mr Dutton has proposed seven sites across Australia for nuclear power plants, including Port Augusta. The idea in Port Augusta is to build a small modular nuclear reactor, which the Coalition insists will be cheaper than Labor’s renewables-focused plan in the long run.

Mr Bailey, a life member and former vice president of the West Augusta Football Club, said Port Augusta’s cricket association had been forced to merge with Whyalla’s in order “to survive”.

Port Augusta Tennis Association president Michael Rowbottom added his club had recently withdrawn from their winter season after being reduced to just one social team due to declining numbers.

“It’s really dwindled over the last few years,” Mr Rowbottom said. “The real interest to me – obviously getting back sponsorship dollars is good – but I’d like more people to come play tennis.

“It’s really hard. We’ve been hit badly”.

Dale McRae, a former employee of the shuttered coal-fired plant, said a lack of employment opportunities in the area had left the long-term future of the West Augusta Football Club in doubt – a committee he served on for 43 years.

Aerial view of the Port Augusta power station in 2008. Picture: Cam Cap

The demolition of the Northern Power Station boilers in 2016. Picture: McMahon Services

“We’re finding it harder and harder to keep going in the competition because of finances. People aren’t here. They move out of town for work – fly out to a mine site or somewhere – but they’re not working in the town,” Mr McRae said.

“We’re hoping we can survive. Industry coming down here will definitely help, whether it’s nuclear or whatever it is, if you’re bringing another couple hundred people here and families come and all that sort of stuff, it definitely helps.

“It’s going to be employment for Port Augusta but it just depends – and I would support nuclear for sure – but my only concern is, is it going to be cheaper power? No one can really answer that I don’t think.”

“Born and bred” Port Augusta local – and the town’s ex-mayor – Brett Benbow said life had been “very different” since the old station closed – highlighting the significant job displacement and economic downturn that followed.

Former Port Augusta mayor Brett Benbow thinks a new power station would be great for the town. Picture: Dean Martin

“It definitely hit Port Augusta,” Mr Benbow, 62, said. “My father was one of the leading hands here and my older brother was one of the lead operators.

“I think all the smaller community sporting clubs now need support and sponsorship to help them run their facilities. Costs don’t go away and they certainly don’t go down.

“I personally think it would be a fantastic economic boost, employment boost and provide long-term specialist building employment for our younger generation, which would go for years and years.”

Port Augusta Mayor Linley Shine said she would welcome an influx of employment to the region, but was focused on improving the “liveability” of the area.

Ms Shine was elected mayor in 2023. Picture: Dean Martin

“We as a community welcome jobs and job opportunities, but the reality is, communities like ours also want people to be here, living here for long periods of time,” Ms Shine said. “We’re very much focused on liveability.

“We very much welcome development and growth, but at the same time in a way which is very much sustainable and sort of actually growing at a time when we can accommodate the growth.

“It’s not just a matter of getting new people into communities. We have to think about things like housing, services, all of those things that are very important. And unfortunately, a lot of times, people don’t talk about the social services side of things like child care (and) aged care – all of this is affected.”

Mr Rowbottom, a recently retired real estate agent, also said the area would have to undergo significant housing development – but welcomed the positive impact it would have on the community.

“It would generate an economic benefit for the town – and real estate wise as well,” he added. “A lot of employees that used to come here rented homes, but a few bought and then continued to rent them out when they moved on.”

Originally published as Port Augusta community reveal local sport clubs won’t survive without construction of nuclear power station