Much at stake for Barngarla Country

Anti nuclear protestor holds sign reading:"Stop cultural genocide of the world's oldest living culture"

Michele Madigan 28 July 2020

In the present world wide climate of Black Lives Matter when some governments/states are changing significant processes for the betterment of all, how is our own country fronting up when it comes to competing interests regarding land and culture? ‘Quite badly’ is the assessment that comes to mind in examining Barngarla Peoples’ recent reply to the Department of Resources, the federal department charged by government with the establishment of the national radioactive waste dump/facility (NRWMF).

Read the full article

Barngarla Ballot Statement

Placards reading: "Barngarla people say NO to nuclear waste."

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

Traditional Owners Call for Widening of Consultation Over Nuclear Waste Site in South Australia

Photo of Karina Lester

Yankunytjatjara Traditional owners in the north of South Australia have welcomed news that ballots about the proposed National Radioactive Waste Facility have been deferred until proper consultation with native title holders takes place.

There are two proposed waste sites in South Australia for the National Radioactive Waste Facility…. One on Barngarla country near Kimba on the north of the Eyre Peninsula, and one on Adnyamathanya country near the township of Hawker.

The Barngarla Determination Aboriginal Corporation applied for an injunction in South Australia’s Supreme Court, to halt the vote in the Kimba District arguing it contravened the Racial Discrimination Act 1975

The Court deferred the ballot until a later hearing.

A similar ballot is pending in the community of Hawker, until the outcome of the hearing. The Adnyamathanha Traditional Lands Association (ATLA) are Native title holders of the area, are also campaigning strongly against the site being located on their land.

Chairperson of the Yankunytjatjara Native Title Aboriginal Corporation Karina Lester says that the Federal Government should take note of the voice of Traditional Owners and that all Australians need to be consulted. She adds that the Commonwealth should not ignore South Australia’s past activism against a Nuclear Waste Dump. Ms Lester has also called on the South Australian government to use existing state legislation – to prevent the establishment of a radioactive waste site in the state. 

CAAMA’s Teghan Hughes spoke with Ms Lester to find out more about the site and why Aboriginal people of the state are saying….

Listen to the interview here.

Canavan Fails to Consult TOs

Adnyamathanha Traditional Lands Association (ATLA) CEO Vince Coulthard holds and looks at a sign that reads: "No waste dump! Stop the wrongs."

Recently Minister Matt Canavan went to the Flinders Ranges and once again showed complete disrespect and failed to consult with the Adnyamathanha traditional owners. Please watch and share this short video message about it from Adnyamathanha Traditional Lands Association (ATLA) CEO Vince Coulthard 

Peace Boat in Adelaide

Photo of the peace boat

Peace Boat, a Japanese based global NGO, visited Adelaide on 29 January for the first time as part of a speaking tour featuring nuclear survivors from Japan and Australia on it’s 93rd global voyage.

The visit was designed to put pressure on the Japanese and Australian Governments who have not yet signed the new UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.

People affected by the nuclear industry and survivors of South Australia’s nuclear bomb tests travelled to Port Adelaide to take part in this cultural exchange.

Read the Peace Boat 2018 write up here