Coalition shortlist for nuclear submarines base were not in Defence’s top five in 2011 review

We are not getting lumped with their mess', Newcastle mayor says of prospect of basing nuclear fleet in city while Wollongong mayor also concerned

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The mayors of Newcastle and Wollongong have expressed unease at the Morrison government naming their cities as a potential base for nuclear-powered submarines, with one describing the Aukus plans as a fantasy".

Questions have also been raised about the government's process for shortlisting Newcastle, Port Kembla in Wollongong and Brisbane for a new east coast base, given that a previous Defence review had not backed them as most-preferred sites.