Kimba radioactive waste site to bring an $8m annual boost, Federal Government says as Senate prepares to debate legislation
The Eyre Peninsula town to host a radioactive waste storage facility will receive an $8m economic boost each year, Resources Minister Keith Pitt claims.
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Kimba’s economy will receive an $8m economic boost each year from the town’s new radioactive waste industry, Resources Minister Keith Pitt says.
Mr Pitt visited the town on the northern Eyre Peninsula this week as the Senate prepares to debate a bill paving the way for the new nuclear waste storage site at Napandee farm.
Labor will oppose the bill unless changes are made to remove a reference to Napandee as the waste site.
The party wants Mr Pitt to instead declare the site himself, which leaves the decision open to a judicial review.
But Mr Pitt said the Government was sticking with the legislation as drafted.
“Federal Parliament is the highest level democratic decision-making body and process in the land, so for parliament to make that decision I think is firstly right and proper,” Mr Pitt said.
“Secondly, we want to ensure, particularly for the people of Kimba, that there’s certainty … and they can get on with their lives knowing the decision has been made and won’t be tied up for many years in court processes run by well-funded activists.”
A Kimba community poll last year found 62 per cent of respondents supported plans for the storage site.
However, it has faced strong criticism from the indigenous community and many locals, worried about how it will affect the environment and farming sector.
Mr Pitt said it would take “some years” to secure approvals, finalise designs, and work through tenders and contracts before work began, and would not give a time frame for the beginning of construction.
He said modelling had shown the project would provide $8m in annual benefits to the economy – stemming from demand for goods and services and extra workers in the region.
This is on top of the $31m package support package the town will receive, which includes money for training and community projects.
About 200 people would find work building the facility, and another 45 would be employed there long term.
The Government’s draft legislation has passed through the House of Representatives and it is expected to hit the Upper House before the end of the year.
The Greens oppose the bill, so it would need three crossbenchers’ support to become law.
Independent Senator Rex Patrick plans to move an amendment to change the site to Woomera.
One Nation and Centre Alliance’s Stirling Griff said they had not finalised positions, while Independent Senator Jacqui Lambie did not respond.
Kimba man Peter Woolford, president of lobby group No Radioactive Waste Dump on Agricultural Land in Kimba or SA, said an avenue for judicial review was vital “for the protection of people and to make decisions accountable”.
“We’re not talking about putting up a pergola – this is something that will be going on for 300 years so that’s why a judicial review is so important,” he said.
“It’s just a juggernaut they want to push through and they don’t care who they tread on to do it.”
Mr Woolford said some Kimba residents had already left town over the project and others were trying to sell their homes.
michelle.etheridge@news.com.au
