BE ACTIVE TODAY, NOT RADIOACTIVE TOMORROW!
SUBMISSIONS DUE: FRIDAY 14 FEB 2025 BY 10pm AEDT
The Department of Defence has lodged it’s environmental assessment of the proposed priority works at HMAS Stirling to the Federal Department of Environment for assessment. (aka Submarine Rotational Force -West Priority Infrastructure Works (EPBC Act 2024/10031).
E-mail submissions to srf-west.infrastructureproject@defence.gov.au by Friday 14 February
These developments at HMAS Stirling on Garden Island Meeandip would facilitate SRF – West the rotation of 4 US Virginia Class nuclear powered submarines and a UK Astute Class SSNs from 2027 onwards. The works at the site pose a threat to many endangered species that live in Cockburn Sound Derbal Nara.
Things to include in your submission:
Environmental, cultural and social values in the region at Meeandip and Derbal Nara are part of an important ecological area. The area includes the:
- Vulnerable and migratory – Great knot, Grey plover, Ruddy turnstone, and Terek Sandpiper.
- Listed Critically Endangered community of Callitris preissii forests and woodlands of the Swan Coastal Plain
- A genetically distinct population of Little Penguins
- EPBC listed migratory shorebirds
- Priority listed species including the Tammar Wallaby and the Perth Slide
- Threatened Ecological Communities including – Banksia Woodlands, Tuart Woodlands, Thrombolite (microbial community), and Sedgelands in Holocene dune swales – all of the Swan Coastal Plain
- EPBC listed WA seahorse, Indo Pacific bottlenose dolphin, Albatross, Petrel and Marine turtles
- Endangered Australian Sea Lion, Southern Right Whale and Pygmy Blue Whale
BACKGROUND
The AUKUS Nuclear-Powered Submarine Pathway announced in March 2023 by the US, UK and Australia, HMAS Stirling Naval Base, Garden Island in WA’s Cockburn Sound – Derbal Nara, means there are increasing visits of US nuclear powered submarines.
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. We strongly oppose this and are campaigning against these plans.
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!
