Premier backs traditional owners in saying no to nuclear waste facility

Premier Peter Malinauskas has revealed his stance on the federal government’s nuclear waste dump to be built near Kimba.

Premier Peter Malinauskas has thrown his support behind traditional owners trying to stop a nuclear waste facility being built on Native Title land near Kimba, on Eyre Peninsula.

On Thursday, during the state government’s country cabinet tour, the Premier said he supported the Barngarla people who have been fighting to stop the proposed project that would store low-level nuclear medical waste.

Barngarla traditional owner, Linda Dare with the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Kyam Maher, Premier Peter Malinauskas, and Barngarla traditional owner, Daw Taylor. Picture: Jason Bilney, Chairman of Barngarla Determination Aboriginal Corporation

Mr Malinauskas said though his government did not have the power to stop the project, he did support the Barngarla people and their cause, and would use his position to influence the Labor federal government.

“Ultimately, the nuclear waste facility is a matter for the federal government,” he said.

“However, the state government’s position is that the local Indigenous community should have the opportunity to have a veto on this proposal.

“While the state government doesn’t necessarily have the legislative ability to act, the government does have the ability at a political level to raise concerns where relevant.”

The nuclear waste facility would store low-level nuclear medical waste currently spread across more than 100 facilities in Australia, including universities and hospital basements.

An artist's impression of the radioactive waste site at Napandee, near Kimba. Picture: Supplied

The nuclear waste facility has been opposed by the Barngarla Determination Aboriginal Corporation since 2017 when it was nominated as a potential site by a local farmer who owned the property.

In 2019, a community ballot was held in Kimba by the Australian Electoral Commission which sent 745 ballot papers to locals, however, the vote excluded Native Title holders because they did not live within the boundary of the District Council of Kimba.

In November 2021, the Morrison government acquired 211ha of land at Napandee, 24km west of Kimba, and confirmed a site for the location of a national radioactive waste management facility.

A month later in December, the Barngarla Determination Aboriginal Corporation (BDAC) launched a legal campaign in Federal Court to block the project.

Chairman for BDAC, Jason Bilney, said it was good to see Mr Malinauskas backing the Barngarla people and hoped the federal government would do the same.

“Any support we can get for all Barngarla to stop the nuclear waste dump is good and it’s good to see the state’s Premier come out and support us,” Mr Bilney said.

“The next move is just keeping in touch with the federal government and finding other avenues.

“It’s about the Statement from the Heart, truth-telling, and having a voice for First Nations people to be heard.

“It’s our country, we’ve been here for over 60,000 years and it’s about having us at the table and listening to First Nations voices, especially when we don’t want a nuclear waste dump on our country.”

Originally published as Premier backs traditional owners in saying no to nuclear waste facility