New calls to dump Kimba as a nuclear waste facility after Hawker ruled out
After a majority voted against a nuclear waste storage depot in the Flinders Ranges town of Hawker, the town was ruled out. It’s looking more likely the dump will go in Kimba – but where?
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Kimba has moved into the box seat to host the nation’s nuclear waste storage facility, with proponents calling for a quick resolution now Hawker has been ruled out as a potential site.
“Everyone is at the stage where they just want a quick decision so everyone knows where we’re at and we can move on,” Kimba Mayor Dean Johnson said.
However, campaigners against the dump say the results of separate ballots in Kimba and Hawker showed a lack of widespread support and the Federal Government should abandon its plans.
Resources Minister Matt Canavan ruled out Wallerberdina Station, near Hawker, as a site after a ballot found 53 per cent of voters rejected the radioactive waste site at the Flinders Ranges property.
The ballot in Kimba found 62 per cent in favour, keeping two local properties – Napandee or Lyndhurst – on the Government’s radar to permanently store low-level waste and temporarily store intermediate-level waste.
No Radioactive Waste on Agricultural Land in Kimba or SA secretary Toni Scott said the Kimba vote failed to demonstrate “broad community support” – a parameter sought by the Government.
“We don’t feel like there’s broad community support here because we feel like our community is torn in two,” Mrs Scott said. “It’s been really tough on families and individuals, friends and families.
“With the damage that’s been done, for all the money in the world, it’s not worth it.”
Mr Johnson said the project would bring much-needed jobs and economic stimulus to his Eyre Peninsula town.
“Conditions are terribly difficult at the moment,” the mayor said.
“We’ve had a very ordinary year for the farmers and that hurts the economy overall.”
The host community will receive a $31 million package, which includes money for local projects and training.
Both towns received funds before their ballots.
In Kimba, the funds paid for a new palliative care service, and the town is also hoping for a health-centre upgrade and new multi-user grain facility.
Friends of the Earth’s Nuclear Free SA campaigner Mara Bonacci said for four years, people in both regions had pushed back against the proposal. “It’s time the Government abandoned this flawed plan,” she said.
Mr Canavan will announce the site early next year, after assessing the ballot results, alongside other factors such as business sentiment, neighbour surveys and the properties’ suitability.
He said the poll results showed “a very significant level of support” in Kimba.
“I especially want to thank the communities of Hawker and Quorn for their patience and resilience through this process,” Mr Canavan said.
“While we will not be proceeding with a radioactive waste site at Wallerberdina Station, I will continue to work with the community to invest $2 million through our Community Benefits Fund.”
Mr Canavan said most waste was safely in storage at Lucas Heights in Sydney but space there was running out.