South Australia and nuclear waste a decision for the people
The proposal to establish a nuclear waste industry in South Australia will be decided by the people after Premier Jay Weatherill calls a referendum.
Speaking at media conference in Adelaide on Monday, Weatherill said that if the outcome from the referendum was “broad social consent”, the “final veto” would be given to local Aboriginal people.
The Nuclear Fuel Cycle Royal Commission found social consent and political bipartisanship were “essential” if South Australia was to capture the $100 billion profit from taking nuclear waste from around the world.
Consultation, which has included a citizens’ jury report, statewide survey, online comments and interviews, has found either negative or neutral support for the proposal. People from the state’s Indigenous community have been among the staunchest opponents.
Last week, two thirds of the 300-strong citizens’ jury indicated their opposition to the proposal “under any circumstances”. The -page report arising from the citizens’ jury has found “consent, economics, trust and safety,” were the key issues.
Analysis undertaken for the Royal Commission found that investing the $257 billion in total revenue would generate a state wealth fund of $445 billion over 70 years.
Over the first 30 years, the waste repository would generate around $5 billion a year – about one-third of the state government’s current revenue.
Daniel Gannon, the Property Council’s South Australian executive director, says demand for action on climate change and the decline of South Australia’s manufacturing sector has put pressure on government to find new industries.
“This potential $445 billion wealth fund would undoubtedly attract investment in large-scale infrastructure projects and other flow-on activities,” Gannon says.
“A nuclear waste storage facility would require initial infrastructure, including a dedicated port, airport and railway line – creating jobs for the state.”
Speaking at a nuclear industry forum last month, the Premier told the audience he was personally convinced of the opportunities for the state. “I wouldn’t have come to this idea if I wasn’t open to South Australia expanding its role in the nuclear fuel cycle,” he said, adding that it was part of the state’s “transition from old to new economies”.
“Above all, the government needs a social license,” Gannon says.
“Without this, any consideration of a nuclear future in South Australia lacks trust and credibility.”