Whittlesea (Victoria) may strengthen its nuclear free status
free of a nuclear power plant, uranium enrichment or reprocessing plants;Is not used as a base for nuclear weapons or any facilities associated with their development, manufacture or transportation;
Nuclear fallout – Whittlesea Leader, 12 April 11, A TOXIC debate exploded at a Whittlesea Council meeting during a discussion about the municipality reaffirming its position as a nuclear-free zone. The City of Whittlesea proclaimed itself a nuclear-free zone on February 18, 1980. East Ward Cr Mary Lalios thought it wise to reaffirm the council’s position in light of recent problems at Japan’s Fukushima nuclear power plant.
She introduced a notice of motion calling for the council to “further declare” the municipality:Remains free of a nuclear power plant, uranium enrichment or reprocessing plants;Is not used as a base for nuclear weapons or any facilities associated with their development, manufacture or transportation; and,Advise the federal and state governments and local MPs of the council’s position.The notice was met with disdain by councillors John Fry and Frank Merlino……
Cr Lalios said the motion was not put up on a whim. “It was well discussed with officers and researched,” Cr Lalios said.
“It’s a sensitive issue and a whole generation of residents did not know the city was a nuclear-free zone.”
Cr Fry wanted the three points above removed from the original motion, saying they were already covered by council policy and Australia’s ratification of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty in 1973.
He said its inclusion would expose the council to ridicule from all levels of government.
“This motion has become a nonsense. What a foolish thing to do,” Cr Fry said.
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