THE federal government has shortlisted a cattle station at Barndioota in the Flinders Ranges as a possible site for a national radioactive waste management facility.
There had been six sites named as possible locations for the facility, including two near Kimba, and one each in the NT, NSW and Qld.
But, while the Barndioota site is the only one to move to the next stage, Resources, Energy and Northern Australia Minister Josh Frydenberg said a final decision was still to be made on the location.
“In accordance with legislation, the government remains open to considering new expressions of interest for additional facility sites or locations,” he said.
“While encouraging levels of support were identified across a number of these sites, Barndioota displayed a broad level of community support for moving to the project’s next phase.
“This will include further consultation with the local community and detailed design, safety, environmental and technical assessment. To facilitate this, my department will establish an office in the local area.”
The Barndioota community will also be provided with up to $2 million for “local projects that create lasting economic or social benefits”.
“I expect to make a decision on the final location for establishing this facility within a year to allow for the next round of thorough consultation and assessment to take place,” Mr Frydenberg said.
Kimba resident Meagan Lienert said it was disappointing the town would not move to the next stage.
“A lot of the businesses in town are struggling, the school is in decline and farms are getting bigger, which means less people to support the town,” she said.
“This would have been a self-funded, long-term industry for the town.”
Fellow Kimba resident Hayden Francis agreed it was a missed opportunity.
“Our local school has great teachers, but I’ve had to send my kids away to school for more opportunities,” he said.
“My second daughter came through Year 10 as one girl in a class of only four.
“I was born and raised in Kimba, but unfortunately there’s not a lot of opportunity here anymore.”
But, another Kimba resident Peter Woolford said it was a relief.
“It’s been a long, draining process we’ve had to endure,” he said. “The government has acknowledged there was not broad community support and it created division in the community.
“Hopefully we can all move forward and get the community back together.”
- More next week
