Antinuclear

Nuclear waste dump plans scrapped for South Australia

By Andrew Brown August 10 2023 – 

Plans for a nuclear waste dump in regional South Australia have been scrapped by the federal government following a court decision blocking its construction.

The waste facility was earmarked to be built on land at Napandee near the town of Kimba in the Eyre Peninsula by the previous coalition government in 2021.

The decision was challenged in the Federal Court by traditional owners, the Barngarla people, who said the decision was made without them being consulted.

The court ruled in July the facility could not be built.

Resources Minister Madeleine King told federal parliament the government would look for a new location for the nuclear waste storage.

“I’m deeply sorry for the uncertainty the process has created for the Kimba community, for my own department, for the Australian Radioactive Waste Agency workers and for the workers involved in the project,” she said.

“I also acknowledge the profound distress this process has caused the Barngarla people.”

Ms King said any work near Kimba had stopped after the court’s decision.

She said the government would not appeal against the court decision.

“We have to get this right. This is long lasting, multi-generational government policy for the disposal of waste that can take thousands of years to decay,” she said.

“We must consult widely and bring stakeholders including First Nations people along with us. We remain bipartisan in our approach.”……………………………………………………………..  https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/8303272/nuclear-waste-dump-plans-scrapped-for-south-australia/

August 10, 2023 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | aboriginal issues, Federal nuclear waste dump, South Australia