National Party Senator Bridget McKenzie has endorsed the Port of Newcastle's clean energy hub while promoting the Coalition's nuclear vision for the Hunter.
Senator McKenzie, who was briefed about the project's progress on Wednesday, said renewables and nuclear needed to coexist as the country transitioned to a net zero future.
"We believe that we need renewables as part of that solution. We need gas and nuclear power generation is also going to be part of the Coalition's trajectory to net zero, just like you see in other developed countries around the world," she said.
Agreements were signed earlier this week for front end engineering designs and environmental impact statements for the Port's clean energy precinct.
The agreements, which cover electrical infrastructure, water services, general infrastructure, storage, berth infrastructure, and pipelines to berth, are funded as part of the Commonwealth Government's $100 million hydrogen readiness grant.
Once fully developed, the clean energy precinct will contribute $4.2 billion and is estimated to generate 5,800 new jobs to the Hunter Region by 2040.
Ms McKenzie appeared to distance herself from comments from party leader David Littleproud who earlier this year said a Coalition government would consider ripping up existing clean energy infrastructure contracts worth hundreds of millions of dollars.
However, she said agreed communities and individual landholders deserved a greater say in energy infrastructure projects that affected them.
"Private property rights are being trampled on and communities are being shut out of appropriate consultation. In many communities the ability to produce food is being minimised," she said.
"That's one of the reasons we have turned to nuclear net zero because you won't need an addition 28,000 kilometres of new transmission line to get what's needed."
The Upper Hunter is one of seven sites around Australia that the Coalition has identified to host a nuclear power plan.
The Coalition has come under increasing pressure to release its costings for the policy.
Ms McKenzie said the costings would be provided prior to the next election.
"We believe this is a serious proposition we are putting forward," she said.
"We have sent our shadow minister to nuclear countries around the world to hear from the best to make sure the policy we will develop has been thoroughly thought out, costed and configured."
Each potential site would undergo a comprehensive site characterisation study, including detailed safety and technical assessments led by an independent Nuclear Energy Coordinating Authority.
If a location is found to be technically unsuitable to host a nuclear power plant, it will be removed from consideration.
Following a series of earthquakes in the Upper Hunter during August and September Shadow Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Ted O'Brien said if a prospective location was found to be technically unsuitable to host a nuclear power plant, it will be removed from consideration.
