The National Radioactive Waste Management Facility Project Office will open on this Thursday, August 24 – with a sausage sizzle to mark the event at 49 High St Kimba.
From 12-3pm community members are invited to drop by to talk to experts, discuss the project and grab a sausage.
National Radioactive Waste Management Facility Taskforce general manager Bruce McCleary said the opening of the office signalled the next phase of the process.
“During this second phase, we will take an in-depth look at the two volunteered sites at Kimba, to understand whether either of them could be suitable for the national facility,” he said.
“This involves looking into the technical aspects of the project, the individual site characteristics and whether the land would be suitable for a facility like this.
“It is also about engaging the Kimba community, and giving them all the information they need on the project to decide whether they are interested in continuing to consider hosting that type of industry.
“Our new Kimba office provides a central location for people to drop in, to find out more about the project and ask any questions they might have.”
The new Kimba office is based on a successful model already in place to support the separate phase two consultation process that started last year for a proposed site at Wallerberdina Station.
The Wallerberdina Station community is supported by an office at 72 Cradock Road Hawker and a community liaison officer Zaheer McKenzie.
Reflecting that model, the Kimba office will be a base for the soon-to-be appointed community liaison officer, the department’s project team on Wednesdays and Thursdays, and visiting experts.
“This phase of the process is really about understanding whether the communities of Kimba and Wallerberdina Station believe that project is sound both from a technical and community perspective,” Mr McCleary said.
“We are absolutely committed to servicing all of the communities around the nominated sites, to give them the information they need to decide whether to proceed with this proposal.
“Part of this assessment involves bringing in external experts, like from Geoscience Australia or the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation for example, who will be available to comment on the process and their area of expertise.
“The community centres are at the core of our assessment, and these experts will be here to provide information but also to draw information and insights from the locals.
“Alongside the community liaison officer, and facilitated groups such as the consultative committees, the project office provides another way for the community to be involved in the project.”
The new Kimba Office is located at 49 High Street Kimba.
Project team members will based out of the office on Wednesdays and Thursdays each week, and a schedule of upcoming visiting experts will be made available to the community.
To book in a meeting, call 13 28 46 or email radioactivewaste@industry.gov.au. More general information about the project can be found at www.radioactivewaste.gov.au.
