When Port Augusta was one of the sites earmarked for a nuclear reactor under a Coalition election pledge it drew mixed responses in the town. But with the federal election results putting an end to that idea, locals in the town are calling for a renewed focus on its economic future.
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00:00In Greg Bannon's outback backyard, solar panels are making the most of Port Augusta's autumn sun.
00:11Since the coal-fired power station was closed in Port Augusta, we've actually transitioned to a renewable energy hub.
00:19The town in South Australia's far north suffered a severe economic blow in 2016 when its coal-fired power station shut down.
00:30Since then, its population has slowly declined, with job opportunities increasingly hard to come by.
00:37The coalition's proposed nuclear reactor for Port Augusta was billed as a much-needed economic boost.
00:44But with the election result putting nuclear on the back burner, the town is now weighing up where to turn to next.
00:51Everyone's got to go through Port Augusta, but for some reason no-one stays here, stops here or builds here.
00:59I'd take on an apprentice here, right here and now, but I can't get one.
01:03But even though workers are hard to find, locals say there is significant untapped potential in the town.
01:09We've got so much land to offer for more.
01:13It is a good spot. You've got the gulf, you've got the ranges, beautiful weather.
01:18Trevor Painter knows the value of industry to this region.
01:22He and his brothers worked for decades at the power station.
01:26He says while renewables have been a replacement energy source, they haven't bought the local economic benefit of the power station.
01:34They've got the infrastructure here for some of the heavy industry.
01:37There's a lot of mining going on around the place. If they can tap into maybe some heavy construction maintenance.
01:43Some in this community say the coalition's nuclear power proposal was divisive in a town that's already had its fair share of challenges.
01:51And now the plan is off the table, it's time for Port Augusta to move forward.
01:57For families who have spent generations in this region, securing its long term future is deeply personal.
02:03They've got a great future now. I see what they're doing. Me and my wife are really proud of them.
02:08Ensuring young people in Port Augusta can continue to thrive.
02:12Learn more than to thrive.
02:14Period.
02:16Openפ reusable.
02:18Enter your own people in Port Augusta can continue to thrive.
02:21It's time for us to thrive.
02:22Terrific.
02:23Everyone has a private girl.
02:24Show us everyone.
02:26The deck.
02:27One of the steps to thrive.
02:28Another thing to thrive.
02:30One of the steps to thrive.
02:31Three.
02:32Joy.
02:33One of the steps to thrive.
02:35One of the steps to thrive.
02:37Your life.
02:38Two.
02:39Two.
02:40One of the steps.