Your Say, SA survey reveals switch in South Australian public opinion favouring a nuclear industry
SOUTH Australians have voiced a stunning reversal in opinion over a very hot topic in a detailed Sunday Mail survey that could well power our economy in a whole new direction. Also, take our poll
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OVERWHELMING support for expanding the nuclear industry has been revealed by a major survey of South Australian public opinion, in a stunning reversal of fierce opposition a decade ago.
More than 5700 people responded to the Sunday Mail survey, which showed 47 per cent support for a nuclear power plant and 43 per cent backing a national nuclear waste dump.
Nuclear-related industry was among the top three rated by respondents as being the most important for the state economy in the next 20 years.
This represents a dramatic switch from when SA public outrage in 2004 forced the federal government to abandon plans for a national nuclear waste dump near Woomera.
Almost two-thirds of respondents supported creating a nuclear industry in SA, bolstering Premier Jay Weatherill’s decision in February to create a Royal Commission, reporting next year, to study the potential benefits and risks.
Strong backing for an Australian radioactive waste dump is a significant turnaround since 2003, when an Advertiser poll showed 72 per cent opposition to the later-shelved plan for a national repository, then earmarked for a sheep station near Woomera.
This will hearten federal Resources and Energy Minister Josh Frydenberg, who this month announced SA had three of six sites short-listed for a national radioactive waste dump.
Almost 40 per cent of respondents also backed a nuclear enrichment plant for SA, while only 34 per cent were opposed to any nuclear industry development.
The survey also reveals 34 per cent support for a repository for international waste, which would most likely be more dangerous high-level material.
Mr Weatherill said people were participating in the nuclear debate in an informed and sensible way, while Mr Frydenberg said it was encouraging to see public engagement with consultation about the national waste management facility.
The 126-question Your Say, SA survey, conducted on advertiser.com.au from October 28 to November 17, attracted 5782 respondents. Full results will be published in tomorrow’s Sunday Mail.
Mr Weatherill, whose openness to consider a radioactive waste dump is a direct contrast to his predecessor Mike Rann’s staunch opposition, said he was pleased people had turned their minds to the question of greater involvement in the nuclear fuel cycle.
“We would ask people direct their thoughts to the (Royal Commission’s) interim report in February and engage with the findings released at that stage,” he said.
“This is a debate that we expect will develop further next year ahead of the final report (in May).”
Mr Frydenberg said an extensive 120-day public consultation process was taking place in communities of the six short-listed sites for a national repository, including the three in SA. Two are near Kimba and the third is at Barndioota, southwest of Hawker.
This will inform a further short-listing of two to three sites, ahead of a final decision expected late next year.
“It is important to note that this process is entirely independent and separate to the South Australian Nuclear Fuel Cycle Royal Commission, which is considering what economic opportunities exist for Australia in the nuclear fuel cycle,” Mr Frydenberg told The Advertiser. “However, it is encouraging to see the public actively engaging in this consultation process, including outside of the communities of these short-listed sites.”
Nuclear royal commissioner Kevin Scarce, formerly the state governor, said he noted with interest the survey’s results and said the commission had heard from more than 100 witnesses from Australia and overseas relating to the nuclear industry’s safety and impact on the state.
“Whatever the outcome next year, overseas experience indicates that a great deal of public consultation would be required before contemplating any further activity within this industry,” he said.
Full Your Say, SA survey results will appear in the advertiser.com.au on Saturday night and The Sunday Mail.