Port Kembla Identified as Preferred Site for Nuclear Submarine Base

Previously confidential documents from the New South Wales government have identified Port Kembla, located 75 kilometers south of Sydney, as the preferred east coast site for Australia's proposed nuclear-powered submarine fleet.

The documents were prepared by the NSW Cabinet Office and Premier's Department under the former Perrottet government (2022–2023) and were tabled in the NSW parliament on Friday by Greens MLC Abigail Boyd.

Document Analysis and Site Selection

The 217-page analysis concludes that Port Kembla would be more cost-effective than other shortlisted locations, including Newcastle and Brisbane, when considering housing prices, impacts on other industries, and freight capacity expansion.

A preliminary cost-benefit analysis estimated an economic benefit of A$426 million to the state through improved infrastructure and increased economic activity.

The documents note that Port Kembla's outer harbour could accommodate increased berthing, a dry dock, and a submarine facility. The east coast base is expected to be at least twice the size of Western Sydney International Airport.

The Department of Defence estimates over A$10 billion will be needed for facility and infrastructure requirements.

Risk Assessment and Concerns

The documents state that residents may perceive the base as a risk due to the nuclear reactors on board the submarines and the potential for the base to be a military target.

They note that in the event of conflict, the East Coast Base could be targeted by adversaries. The analysis compares public perception to that of a nuclear power station as a source of environmental disaster risk.

Regarding nuclear accident risk, the documents state that submarines are only sometimes at the base, reducing probability, but the base is more likely to be a military target than a nuclear power plant.

The submarines use highly enriched uranium, similar to that used in nuclear warheads, and store enough to operate for over 30 years.

The documents acknowledge that some residents may need to relocate, local businesses could be negatively affected, and rail and road travel might worsen.

Government Positions

The federal government announced in March 2022 its intention to build an east coast nuclear base to station nuclear-powered submarines under the AUKUS agreement. In 2023, the ABC reported that Port Kembla was Defence's preferred east coast nuclear submarine base location.

Following the 2023 defense strategic review, the Albanese government stated a decision on the location would be made toward the end of the decade, with operational status by 2040.

The current Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, Paul Scully, stated that no work is being undertaken by the NSW Government in relation to the base. A spokesperson for Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles said no decision has been made.

Local Opposition

Opposition to the base has been expressed by a significant portion of the Port Kembla population. In September, over 40 organizations, including trade unions and church groups, signed the Port Kembla Declaration opposing the base, citing concerns for community safety.

In 2023, approximately 4,000 residents held a protest march from Wollongong to Port Kembla against the proposed AUKUS base.

Stakeholder Statements

SCLC Secretary Arthur Rorris criticized the government for keeping the report secret, stating the project would negatively impact local transport, health services, housing, and industrial land. He also claimed Port Kembla would become a base for US submarines paid for by Australia, rather than hosting Australian nuclear submarines.

Labor Against War National Convener Marcus Strom said the group opposes a US nuclear base on Australia's east coast and will bring the issue to the NSW state and national ALP conferences.

Federal Greens Senator David Shoebridge commented that the documents show the governments know the base will be damaging and dangerous for the community. He argued that the base would make Australia a target.

Greens MLC Abigail Boyd expressed concern about ceding Port Kembla to the US military.

Planning Minister and Wollongong MP Paul Scully stated the report was prepared by the previous Perrottet government and that the current government is not conducting work on an east coast base.