Results of Barngarla ballot regarding National Radioactive Waste Management Facility.
After being excluded from the Kimba Council ballot, the Barngarla Determination Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC (“BDAC”) recently engaged Australian Election Company, an independent ballot agent, to conduct a confidential postal ballot of BDAC members regarding the National Radioactive Waste Management Facility (“NRWMF”). The ballot paper asked members:
Do you support the proposed National Radioactive Waste Management Facility being located at one of the nominated sites in the community of Kimba?
Of 209 eligible voters (all of whom are Barngarla native title holders), 83 cast valid “No” votes.
Zero “Yes” votes were returned.
This unanimous “No” vote demonstrates that there is absolutely no support at all within the Barngarla community for the NRWMF.
BDAC has written to Minister Canavan advising him of the result. BDAC has requested that given the first people for the area unanimously have voted against the proposed facility that the Minister should immediately determine that there is not broad community support for the project.
In light of this total rejection of the NRWMF by the Barngarla people, it is BDAC’s responsibility to continue to give voice to the profound concerns Barngarla traditional owners have regarding the NRWMF, and to take whatever steps are necessary to oppose the NRWMF being located on Barngarla Country.
Regards
The Board
Barngarla Determination Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC ICN 8603
