Under the AUKUS Nuclear-Powered Submarine Pathway announced in March by the US, UK and Australia, HMAS Stirling Naval Base, Garden Island in WA’s Cockburn Sound – Derbal Nara, will receive increased visits of US nuclear powered submarines as of this year.
Commencing in 2027, US Virginia Class SSN’s are to be stationed there on rotation under the Force Posture Agreement with the US, joined by the UK Astute Class SSNs a few years later.
HMAS Stirling is also the intended home port of Australia’s first nuclear powered submarines. Three (possibly 4 or 5) US Virginia Class SSNs are to be purchased (pending Congress approval) from the US in the early 2030’s. Media reports claim at least 2 of these submarines will be 2nd hand with a purchase life span of only another 20 years.
Simultaneously, Australia has agreed to take responsibility for the highly-enriched-uranium nuclear waste management of these submarines.
The Federal government has allocated $8 billion to upgrade HMAS Stirling – but we are yet to see any formal proposal or environmental impacts statement.
Stop AUKUS WA works to increase community awareness of the public health, safety and environmental risks of naval nuclear reactors and nuclear waste storage.
The campaign opposes this nuclear creep and calls for a Nuclear Free Cockburn Sound – No Nuke Subs!
