SA commission considers nuclear feedback

Public consultation on plans to build a nuclear waste dump in South Australia has concluded ahead of the royal commission's final report in May.

An inflatable nuclear waste barrel during a protest

Source: AAP

South Australia's nuclear royal commission is reviewing public feedback as it prepares its final report to government.

The commission, led by former governor Kevin Scarce, has tentatively proposed that SA should store large amounts of the world's high-level nuclear waste.

With a five-week consultation period now complete, it's up to the commission to consider the feedback before delivering its final report on May 6.

The state government will then lead further public consultation before announcing whether to proceed with the dump by year's end.

The royal commission found in its interim report that a high-level dump could generate more than $257 billion in revenue over its 120-year lifespan.

Environmental groups have argued the findings were based on dubious economics and a dump could have massive costs for the state.

The plan has also been criticised by Aboriginal groups, who say it threatens their culture and could risk contaminating bore water.

Premier Jay Weatherill, who is open to the idea, has said the dump will not proceed without broad community support.


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Source: AAP


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