Barngarla’s voice is heard as the Federal Government abandons Kimba nuclear wastedump

On Thursday August 10, 2023 Federal Minister King abandoned Kimba as the proposed site for a nuclear waste dump, stating: “the Albanese Labor Government does not intend to pursue Napandee as a potential site for the Facility.”
Mr Jason Bilney, Chairperson of the Barngarla Determination Aboriginal Corporation said: “I acknowledge my Barngarla people for being so strong and the resilience of our community to fight this waste dump. We welcome the move by Minister King today to listen to our voices and walk away from the atrocious conduct of the former government. Today, this ends, and I thank everyone who has been with us along the way.”
Aunty Dawn Taylor, Barngarla Elder said: “This plan was flawed from the start and finally today, things went our way and there will be no dump on our land.”
On July 18, 2023 the Federal Court concluded that the former National Party Minister Keith Pitt’s decision to site the facility at Napandee was invalid due to apprehension of bias and set the declaration aside.
Labor’s decision to abandon the Kimba site has come after seven years of efforts from the Barngarla community, local farmers, and others to stop the waste dump at Kimba.