Credit with credit is due: After two terms of a Labor government that promised only to be different – only to underperform in every aspect, he roared into office with a plan – and that plan was to build nukes.

In the meantime, we’ve installed even more solar and battery and wind in Australia. People questioned whether it was even necessary but all of those objections were swept aside as he rammed it all through in just these last two years.

Changed the law in every state. Changed the laws of the Commonwealth. Drafted the  international treaties. Passed all of the necessary legislation. And got all of the appropriations. It was a thing of beauty, this man in a hurry – and his vision to build all of those nukes came to pass.

And so on this 5th of January 2030, John and I set out not long after dawn on a long long long ride, more than two hours, out past the new airport to see what was nothing more than very deep hole in the ground, but looks to be – whenever it’s done – the first grid-scale nuclear power plant in Australia. 

We arrived around 9 am, but still need to be careful. Temperatures out here are expected to top 40° today. And we’ve both decided that we’re going to put our bikes on the train for the ride home. Spare ourselves the heat stroke. It’s another heat wave they say but it’s always another heatwave. These days.

It’s a hole in the ground. I’ll give it that. And I guess it’s a hole in the ground with the promise for a future where it’s not so hot? That I’m less certain of.

I am certain that I’m beginning to feel a bit sun-struck. Can’t handle the heat like I used to. Then again, the heat isn’t like it used to be.

Alright, we’ve had a long enough gaze into the abyss. Now for the trip home. A mercifully short ride to the train station in this unbearable sun. Pack our bikes and our bodies into some very welcome air conditioning for the long ride back into town. I’m very grateful for a bit of cool.