The Australian Conservation Foundation has welcomed the Federal Court decision to completely set aside former Resources Minister Keith Pitt’s declaration of a site on the Eyre Peninsula in South Australia as a planned national radioactive waste facility.
The judgment is in favour of Barngarla Traditional Owners who are seeking to stop a planned national radioactive waste facility being put on their land.
The Federal Court ruled that former Resources Minister Keith Pitt’s declaration of the Kimba site was affected by bias and it has been set aside.
“ACF welcomes the Federal Court judgment and congratulates the Barngarla people’s persistence and determination to protect their country,” said the Australian Conservation Foundation’s nuclear free campaigner Dave Sweeney.
“This has always been a divisive and deficient plan – the court has now confirmed it was also an unlawful one.
“There is now clearly no basis for this deeply flawed radioactive waste plan.
“ACF calls on the federal government to halt this failed plan and adopt a new approach.
“This decision is a red light for Kimba – this plan cannot be further advanced.
“The plan is based on false assumptions and would deliver sub-optimal outcomes.
“This waste lasts longer than any politician and it needs to be responsibly managed.
“More responsible and credible alternatives exist and should now be properly examined.
“We need a new approach that is based on evidence, inclusion and respect.”
On 7 August there will be a further hearing to determine technical details about timing and costs.
