MEDIA RELEASE
Radioactive Waste Senate Report Raises Concerns

14 August 2018
 

A Federal Inquiry has raised significant concerns about the process for selecting a site for Australia’s most dangerous radioactive waste, just days before a vital community ballot begins in South Australia.

“We are pleased that the Senate Committee has acknowledged and validated many of the concerns about the flawed site selection process. It is disappointing, however, that the report has not called for an end to the process and for a better way to manage the process of selecting a site for Australia’s most hazardous waste,” said Craig Wilkins, Chief Executive of the state’s peak environment body, Conservation SA.

The report noted the community division caused by the process, inadequate and inappropriate Indigenous engagement and the lack of timely key project detail.

“It is unfortunate that the report’s release comes just six days before a community ballot to gauge community sentiment commences on Monday 20th August in the affected communities of Kimba on the Eyre Peninsula and the Flinders Ranges. This does not give voters adequate time to absorb its findings, or for the Department of Industry, Innovation and Science to implement them”, said Mr Wilkins.

“We are also disappointed to note that the Senate Inquiry has not called on Minister Canavan to define the factors and weighting he will use to determine the ‘broad community support’ needed to select a site. Without that, the community is flying blind at the whim of the Minister for a decision that will affect SA communities for generations to come,” he said.

The report from the Senate inquiry into the Selection process for a national radioactive waste management facility in South Australia can be found here.

Conservation SA will continue to work to protect our environment and communities and defend the legislation that makes radioactive waste dumps illegal in South Australia.

Release ends.

For comment: Mara Bonacci 0422 229 970

Craig Wilkins 0417 879 439