Maralinga nuclear test site used to house thousands of people, now there’s just three
Maralinga nuclear test site used to house thousands of people, now there’s just three, ABC North and West SA , By Gary-Jon Lysaght and Samantha Jonscher
Between 1956 and 1963, when the British government tested nuclear weapons in outback South Australia, Maralinga was home to thousands of soldiers and scientists.
The land was taken from its traditional owners, the Maralinga Tjarutja, before an official hand back in 2009.
Now, Oak Valley to the north is the largest Aboriginal community on the Maralinga Tjarutja lands.
But the former military test site itself is home to three people — two caretakers and a tour guide…….https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-10-19/maralinga-living-and-working-at-nuclear-test-range/11603496
Government study found Kimba and Flinders Range areas to be unsuitable for nuclear waste dump
Fight To Stop Nuclear Waste Dump In Flinders Ranges https://www.facebook.com/groups/941313402573199/ 11 Oct 19
A 2005 feasibility study by URS Australia for the SA government found both Flinders Ranges and Kimba unsuitable for Radioactive Nuclear Waste Dump. Anyone told Canavan and Marshall?
Ballot dates confirmed for Flinders Ranges on nuclear waste dump issue
Flinders Ranges Council confirms ballot dates for waste facility, Transcontinental, Amy Green, 1 Oct 19
Communities in the far north are one step closer to finding out if they will have a radioactive waste management facility in their backyard with ballot dates confirmed by both councils in contention.
Voting commences in the District Council of Kimba next week, while the Flinders Ranges Council have confirmed that it will hold a community ballot between November 11 and December 12.
- Notes banned during committee meetings
- Closed meeting sparks secrecy concerns
- Barngarla group loses out in legal battle
“In addition to the ballots, anyone can have their say through the submissions process.”
But the Australian Conservation Foundation’s Dave Sweeney said the ballots are divisive and are raising tensions in otherwise cohesive communities.
“The ballot is important and essential obviously for communities in the affected areas to have a say and voice their opinion,” he said.
“But this is not a decision just for Kimba or just for Hawker, it’s a national radioactive waste management facility and the government has turned it into a bidding war or a how much are you prepared to fight struggle between two regional communities.
“The ballot and the government’s entire approach has been divisive, unnecessarily divisive. They are consistently asking people to make decisions and take positions on the basis of completely insufficient evidence.
“You wouldn’t buy a secondhand car on the basis of what we know about this project, yet they are asking communities to sign off yes or no about radioactive waste that will need to be managed for 10,000 years.”https://www.transcontinental.com.au/story/6412542/flinders-ranges-council-confirms-ballot-dates-for-waste-facility/
A Kimba resident says there’s no going back: a plea to vote NO to nuclear dump
Kimba residents to vote on waste facility, RACHEL YATES, 30 Sept 19, https://www.eyretribune.com.au/story/6412750/kimba-residents-to-vote-on-waste-facility/While I would really like to see an extra 45 jobs in our community, this ‘process’ has made me very sceptical and I have very little trust in the government to keep their word, especially when we don’t even know who will actually be running the ‘facility’.
There are still so many unknowns in regards to the dump and yet we are being asked to vote on something that will be here forever.
We won’t be able to change our minds once it is here.
No matter what has been promised or how safe they say it is, this facility will be forced onto people in this community.
I am a neighbour and my family and I still do not want to live anywhere near it.
Nuclear waste should not be dumped on agricultural land.
I can live with being blamed for losing this ‘opportunity’ if we are not chosen but, if we are, and I have to live near this, I will never ‘get over’ feeling like the government and my community has forced this on me and my family.
So far, the government has broken numerous promises and continually change the rules to suit themselves.
Can you truly trust them?
The upcoming vote is our final chance to have a say.
This is it!
There is no going back.
Please, please make sure you are absolutely certain before casting your vote.
If you have even the slightest doubt, please vote no.
Potential impact of radioactive wastes on water activities in the Spencer Gulf
Groups in the state’s far north are urging the federal government to consider a report on the impact of a potential nuclear waste facility on the Hookina Floodplain.
Australia’s radioactive waste is currently stored at a purpose-built ‘Interim Waste Store’ at Lucas Heights in new South Wales and has been since 2015.
Flinders Local Action Group member Greg Bannon said a facility on Wallerberdina Station in Hawker could cause major implications for water activities in the Spencer Gulf. Continue reading
‘Bold’ scheme launches to power every property on SA’s Eyre Peninsula with solar
‘Bold’ scheme launches to power every property on SA’s Eyre Peninsula with solar ABC Eyre Peninsula By Lucy Robinson and Emma Pedler 6 Sept 19, An ambitious plan to power every property in one region of South Australia with solar has been labelled an Australian first — but experts are divided over whether it will work.Key points:
- The Eyre Peninsula in SA has been plagued by blackouts and a new Community Solar Scheme is rolling out to boost energy security in the region
- The scheme includes finance solutions and free quotes to help people access the technology
- SA Power Networks said the current energy network in SA has “limited capacity to support solar” across the state
Home to around 60,000 people, Eyre Peninsula has been plagued by blackouts in recent years and left without power for several days at a time on multiple occasions.
Its towns were among those hit hardest by the statewide blackouts in September 2016, with Eyre Peninsula businesses wearing a median cost of $10,000 from the event.
The Eyre Peninsula Local Government Association (EPLGA) has released a Community Solar Scheme, put together by Regional Development Australia (RDA), which it says could boost energy security while helping residents save money on power bills…….. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-09-06/bold-solar-scheme-launched-to-power-whole-eyre-peninsula/11459992
‘Up to $12,000 owing to Adnyamathanha girl’: Grandmother
‘Up to $12,000 owing to Adnyamathanha girl’: Grandmother, Transcontinental, Greg Mayfield 4 Sep 19
Indigenous woman Janette Milera is caught between two worlds.
Smart as a whip, and adept with her mobile phone and laptop, she is fighting to bridge the gap between the ancient tribal lands of her forebears and the modern reality of mining royalties.
The royalties flow to the tribal land-owners from an estimated $30-40 million payment so far by Beverley uranium mine in the outback under Native Title.
“There should be some sort of Royal Commission or something into the way Native Title operates,” she said.
She said Aboriginal people faced enough difficulties, without missing out on royalties. On behalf of her grand-daughter, she applied to the association in 2013 for payment of royalties, declaring that her grand-daughter had Adnyamathanha heritage and filling out a membership form for the corporation.
The association had replied that they would look into it.
“I am frustrated considering all the emails saying they were going to sort it out for her,” she said. “We hoped she could use the money to set up her own little house or flat when she moves out. She could have everything. She is missing out.”
Ms Milera, of Plympton Park, is an Arabunna woman who formerly lived in Port Augusta where she helped set up the local Community Development Employment Project, now Bungala Corporation. The association has been contacted for comment. The valuable royalties flow to the association from Heathgate Resources’ Beverley uranium mine on Adnyamathanha land in the outback. https://www.transcontinental.com.au/story/6346351/where-are-the-royalties/?cs=1538&fbclid=IwAR02tzupZOSaQT3oidg05qkwkgLjHIj9jM0YTCB5ndwGjF8HiPN8OTOHDsA
South Australian law – no public money towards nuclear waste dumping facility
NUCLEAR WASTE STORAGE FACILITY (PROHIBITION) ACT 2000 – SECT 13
13—No public money to be used to encourage or finance construction or operation of nuclear waste storage facility
(1) Despite any other Act or law to the contrary, no public money may be appropriated, expended or advanced to any person for the purpose of encouraging or financing any activity associated with the construction or operation of a nuclear waste storage facility in this State.
(2) Subsection (1) does not prohibit the appropriation, expenditure or advancement to a person of public money for the purpose of financing the maintenance or sharing of information or to enable the State to engage with other jurisdictions.
The Kimba nuclear waste dump ballot – breaching South Australian law?
ENuFF[SA], 21 Aug 19, Today Kimba Council announced a date for a community ballot on the radioactive suppository ~ October 3rd.
http://www.kimba.sa.gov.au/page.aspx?u=408&c=10102
The legality of conducting such a ballot needs to be tested in the courts, since s.13 of the Radioactive Waste Storage Facility (Prohibition) Act SA 2000 prohibits public monies being spent “…. encouraging or financing any activity associated with the construction or operation of a nuclear waste storage facility in this State.”
http://classic.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/sa/consol_act/nwsfa2000430/s13.html
This concerns & will affect ALL South Australians, not just Kimba. We should start a fund for a court injunction based upon s.13 “… any activity …” of the Radioactive Waste Facility [Prohibition] Act ~ & then engage Maurice Blackburn Lawyers [eg] to mount a case against the ballot.
Council announces dates for Kimba radioactive waste ballot
Council announces dates for Kimba radioactive waste ballot, Kimba District Council, 21 Aug 19, The Kimba community will have its say on the of the Commonwealth Government’s proposed National Radioactive Waste Management Facility at one of two nominated sites in the district from October 3.
The District Council of Kimba today announced the dates for the long-awaited ballot, which has been delayed for more than 12 months due to litigation.
While the favourable judgment received by Council in the Federal Court of Australia on 12 July has been appealed, Mayor Dean Johnson said that there was no legal impediment to the ballot proceeding to determine the level of community support as part of the overall site selection process.
“Council’s position has always been to facilitate the ballot on behalf of the Minister for Resources and Northern Australia so our community could have its voice heard, and we reaffirmed that position at our ordinary meeting last week,” he explained.
“We were advised this morning that the Minister no longer requests that the Kimba and Hawker ballots to be run concurrently, so Council has commenced planning with a view to ballot papers being posted out on 3 October.”
The ballot will be run in a manner identical to that scheduled to be held in 2018, and applications from eligible ratepayers and residents for inclusion on the voters roll will be open for a period of three weeks from 23 August 2019 until midday on 13 September 2019…..http://www.kimba.sa.gov.au/page.aspx?u=408&c=10102&fbclid=IwAR1y2ZfiGYV6gFpnvtTkWYWNs1_LcelO3cQ1iLG3RaC22tVRoHy0NHQ2igg
Nuclear waste: Kimba committee even discussed transitioning out of the site selection process
Life after nuclear decision discussed, Eyre Tribune, Rachel McDonald 16 Aug 19,
Assisting the Kimba community in transitioning out of the site selection process should it not be chosen for the National Radioactive Waste Management Facility (NRWMF) was among issues discussed at a consultative committee meeting on Wednesday.
The committee, made up of Kimba community members both for and against hosting the facility near Kimba met with NRWMF taskforce general manager Sam Chard.
Despite the BDAC appealing the decision, the Kimba District Council this week announced its intentions to move forward with the ballot.
“We’re open to their suggestions about how we might do this,” she said.
Jeff Baldock, who sits on the committee and volunteered the Napandee site, said he was pleased to resume discussion and see movement in the ballot process…… [Ed. Note: Mr Baldock’s property is said to be the Government’s favoured site for the waste dump – a useful little additional money-spinner for a farmer]
Another topic discussed at the meeting was the decision to increase the footprint of the site to allow a larger buffer zone between the facility and its neighbours …..
After community members wishing to observe the meetings expressed concern about restrictions on note taking during meetings, reviewing the observer code of conduct was on the agenda…..
Minutes of the committee meetings are released on the department website. https://www.eyretribune.com.au/story/6331281/life-after-nuclear-decision-discussed/?fbclid=IwAR2ODEstxlVCJUe64cS9huIKT3AV98Jyxy5r9WEfM7n-SMhJGarPzuZUlhU
South Australian students plan more climate action -“No jobs on a dead planet”
Tom Webster and Guthrow Taylor Johnson are among 12 student protesters skipping school between 9am and 3pm on Friday each week with no intention of stopping in the near future.
The weekly strikes follow mass school walkouts across the globe earlier this year, including in South Australia.
On March 15, thousands of high school and university students swarmed King William Street demanding politicians take a firmer stance on climate change.
During the event, Adelaide School 4 Climate spokesperson Doha Khan called on her peers to boycott Friday classes until the Federal election.
lthough the election came and went, Taylor Johnson said the group wouldn’t stop protesting until their key demands were met.
“We want no more new fossil fuel projects in Australia,” he said.
“Starting with saying no to Adani, which is going to be the biggest coal mine in the Southern Hemisphere if the government allows them to build it.
“We also want 100 per cent renewables by 2030 and we want a just transition for workers in fossil fuel industries for them to go into renewables.”
The South Australian climate strikes are part of an international movement led by 16-year-old Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg.
In 2018, Thunberg spent every school day sitting outside of Sweden’s parliament protesting the country’s inaction on climate change. Thunberg later reduced her strikes to every Friday, kicking off a movement of Friday school protests.
A wave of school and university strikes demanding more progressive climate policy has since erupted across the globe.
Last Friday, the National Union of Students led university students in Australian capital cities in striking against climate change.
Webster said while many of their fellow weekly protesters were attending the strike he and Taylor Johnson – who are both still in high school – felt it was important to continue their parliamentary protest as well.
Taylor Johnson said the pair planned to join the next major climate strike, to be held on September 20, and hoped to see his peers there.
“Right now, in Australia, [there’s] a lot of climate deniers. So, it’s up to Australia to both lead the way in climate policies and set an example to other countries,” Taylor Johnson said.
A Seaton High School year 11 student, Taylor Johnson said he originally struggled to find a balance between his studies, social life and activism but has managed to navigate the three successfully…. https://indaily.com.au/news/2019/08/16/no-jobs-on-a-dead-planet-the-sa-students-who-wont-give-up-on-the-climate-change-strike/
21 August Senator Matt Canavan to hold closed meeting , then 2 open ones, in region designated for nuclear waste dumping
Queensland Sinister Matt Canavan is having a closed door meeting with the Barndioota Consultative Committee before the Hawker meeting. No doubt the serious nuclear waste dump decisions will be made then
But there’ll be open meetings – ?window dressing – at Hawker 21 August, and at Kimba 22 August.
21 August Wed 3.30 – 430 pm Hawker Sports Centre – Druitt Range Drive, Hawker
22 August Thurs 11 a.m – 12. pm Kimba Gateway Hotel- 40 High St Kimba
Kimba Council renews commitment to local community ballot on nuclear waste dump
Despite this, Kimba mayor Dean Johnson said the council had received legal advice that the ballot process could now resume.
“There’s no legal impediment to us proceeding with the ballot,” he said.
Mr Johnson said the council had received a “strong judgement” in the federal court, and he encouraged the community to read it themselves.
He said the Resources Minister had requested the council proceed with the ballot, and it was important to give the Kimba community their vote on whether the waste management facility should go ahead in the district
“Our community have been in a holding pattern for a very long time… our main objective is to give our community an opportunity to have their say.”
He said he believed it was the responsibility of the Department of Industry, Innovation and Science to make sure the Barngarla people were properly consulted during the site selection process.
South Australian Labor – too pro environment ?
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Our own base rejected us”: Labor warned on ‘pro-environment’ agenda, InDaily, Tom Richardson @tomrichardson, 2 Aug 19
The ALP’s recent caucus strategy meeting in the Barossa – colloquially known as the ‘Labor Love-In’ – was given detailed analysis of the federal election results in SA, with a breakdown of booths relevant to state seats. Results in the key Liberal-held marginal of Boothby, obtained by InDaily, show strong swings to Labor in more affluent areas, including Hills districts such as Belair and Blackwood, with swings away from the party in more traditional working class booths such as Edwardstown, Ascot Park and South Plympton. Boothby was retained by Nicolle Flint on a 1.4 margin, despite a 1.3 per cent swing against her after a federal boundary redistribution. A Labor insider says the Boothby booth result is indicative of a broader trend seen “in every seat in the country” – which they insist dispels the popular election post-mortem that Labor’s financial reform policies cost them the poll. “The principal conclusion you come to from that data is that there are mild swings in the wealthiest parts of the seat to Labor, and big swings in the working class areas against Labor – that would rather suggest it wasn’t the franking credits that lost us the election,” the source said. “It was something more fundamental – it was our own base that rejected us. “Did they reject us on the franking credits [or a] scare campaign on negative gearing policy? Maybe. “Or did they get the sense that we were more pro-environment than pro-jobs?” That conclusion is one being impressed on Peter Malinauskas’s state caucus, with insiders insisting Boothby “doesn’t augur well for a state result”…….. But ALP insiders aren’t universally convinced that the lesson from the federal result is to eschew a strong climate change agenda, which was a hallmark of Labor’s 16 years in government. …… https://indaily.com.au/news/politics/2019/08/02/our-own-base-rejected-us-labor-warned-on-pro-environment-agenda/ |
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