• A community group has been set up as the next step in consultation for a National Radioactive Waste Management Facility

• 17 community members, a convenor and deputy convenor will advise on a range of issues, including applications under the $2 million Community Benefit Programme

• Heritage and cultural studies of the nominated land will begin soon with technical assessments to follow.

A local community group has been established as the next step in the Australian Government’s consultation process, to determine whether a nominated site in South Australia is the best location for a National Radioactive Waste Management Facility.

One of the Barndioota Consultative Committee’s first tasks will be to provide feedback to the Government on applications under the $2 million Community Benefit Programme.

The committee is made up of a convener, deputy convener, and 17 members including businesses and land owners, Indigenous Australians, councillors and individuals. The size of the committee was expanded to reflect the large number of applications received.

Minister for Resources and Northern Australia, Matt Canavan, said an excellent response to the call for nominations had ensured a well-rounded group that reflects a range of views.

“The members were selected from a large field, and bring both a diversity of experience and skills, as well as a range of and views on the project – with some for and some against it proceeding.

“The Australian Government is looking forward to working with the committee, as part of our wide consultation process, to determine whether the site is suitable for a waste management facility to handle low level and intermediate level waste. 

“All of the waste is generated here in Australia, mainly as a result of life-saving medical procedures and research.”

The committee will be convened by Mr Paul Thomas, Mayor of the Copper Coast, and Flinders Ranges councillor Greg Flint will be deputy convener.

The Barndioota Consultative Committee will advise the Department of Industry, Innovation and Science on matters including:

•             funding projects proposed under the $2 million Community Benefit Programme;

•             the design and operation if the facility goes ahead in that location;

•             how best to measure community support for the facility.

“In the coming months, detailed studies will examine whether or not this site is technically suitable,” Minister Canavan said.

The Australian Government facility will not hold high level waste or waste from other countries, and is separate to the South Australian Government’s response to its Royal Commission on the Nuclear Fuel Cycle.

For more information, go to www.radioactivewaste.gov.au