Dutton confirms Geographe Bay offshore wind farm zone will not go ahead under pro-nuclear Coalition Government

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton was cheered by locals in one town but jeered by a few in another, as he arrived in the south-west aiming to convince WA to replace one major renewable energy project with a nuclear option instead.

He vowed a Coalition Government would scrap Labor’s proposed wind farm 20 kilometres off the coast of Geographe Bay, declaring it does not have the social licence necessary.

“It’s not supported by the residents, not economically viable,” he said.

“Because it’s not in the environment’s best interests, it’s not in the economy’s best interest, it’s not in the region’s best interest and it’s not in the interests of small businesses or residents here in this local community.”

“What Australians now realise is that their power prices are going to continue to go up and up under Anthony Albanese.”

The revised 4000sqkm offshore wind farm zone proposed by the Federal Government was announced in September with feasibility licence applications currently being sought.

But Donnybrook farmer John Fry, who has retired to Busselton, is not convinced the numbers stack up against on-shore wind, solar or, even, nuclear.

He was among about 250 people who attended the community meeting on Friday and said Mr Dutton received a “very warm” welcome.

Mr Dutton’s South West trip also included Collie, where he has pledged to put a nuclear reactor, if elected, to replace the coal-fired power stations that are due to shut down by 2030.

The opposition leader met with Collie Shire councillors for a 90 minute meeting that was closed to the public, and kept secret from local media, while half a dozen protesters gathered outside.

The activists confronted Mr Dutton on his way out and complained that they were not allowed to ask questions.

“I don’t think I want this crap in Collie,” said local Indigenous woman Stevie Anderson.

“Especially when they’re not going to let me learn about it.”

Mr Dutton would not commit to meeting with local Elders, but lashed the ABC when a journalist asked why.

“I’m not nterested in the politics of the ABC,” he said.

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The State Government accused Mr Dutton of hiding and said Collie’s future lies with renewables, not nuclear.

“It’s sneaky, it’s dishonest,” said Housing Minister John Carey.

“Clearly he’s deeply embarrassed about his own nuclear policy… he’s shown total disrespect, he’s gone out of the way to avoid scrutiny.”

Mr Dutton again refused to answer questions about the cost and time frame for a Collie reactor, vowing that the information would be released in “due course”.