NRWMF to invest $4m in community grants

The National Radioactive Waste Management Facility (NRWMF) will allocate up to $2 million worth of grants under a new Community Benefit Program.

Currently, Australia’s radioactive waste is stored in more than 100 locations around the country. In January this year, the federal government identified Napandee, near Kimba in South Australia, as the preferred site to host the facility.

Applications for the community grants are for communities that were involved in detailed consultation about hosting Australia’s National Radioactive Waste Management Facility.

The department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources undertook a 4 year selection process for a suitable site involving community consultation and technical assessment.

In March, the Minister for Resources and Northern Australia determined that radioactive waste can be safely and securely managed by establishing and operating the facility at Napandee.

Communities around Kimba and Wallerberdina Station can now each apply for up to $2 million worth of grants and grants of between $5,000 and $1 million will be available for eligible projects under the program.

Minister for Resources, Water and Northern Australia Keith Pitt said the $4 million in total funding would deliver long-term benefits to community groups, indigenous organisations, local businesses, not-for-profits and local councils.

“This investment will support the communities through projects and initiatives that can further build and diversify local economies as well as improve community wellbeing,” Pitt said.

The Member for Grey Rowan Ramsey said it will mark the end of the decision-making phase for the Kimba region.

“A clear majority of residents are looking forward to the legislation getting passed and works beginning,” he said.

Barndioota Consultative Committee Convener, Paul Thomas, said the new funding would provide a boost to Hawker and surrounding communities, within the 50km boundary.

“The funding recognises the long involvement that the communities around Wallerberdina Station had with this process, and while ultimately it did not proceed here, it is great that we will get some community benefits following what was a pretty significant effort,” Thomas said.

The new program builds upon the $5.76 million invested across 57 projects and initiatives in these communities since consultation on the proposed facility commenced in 2017.

Local infrastructure upgrades, services, youth engagement and mental health initiatives are just some of the projects that local communities can consider when completing their applications.

The government will be accepting applications until 11 August 2020.

Related Stories

Send this to a friend