Goldfields shires vie for nuclear dump
The race to meet the Federal Government's May deadline for voluntary site nominations to host a radioactive waste dump is heating up, with several Goldfields Shires signalling their interest.
O'Connor MP Rick Wilson, while not keen to single out individual local governments, confirmed a high level of interest within the region.
"There are two or three Shires that are very, very interested and have been in close contact with my office," Mr Wilson said.
"I think it's an exciting prospect … it could create jobs locally and more funds flowing into the community."
Mr Wilson sent letters to Shire chief executives this month, informing them the process to select a waste facility had begun.
Kanpa traditional owner Preston Thomas has confirmed he will be pursuing his interest in having the facility located near the remote community, about 900km north-east of Kalgoorlie-Boulder.
It is understood the Shires of Leonora, Coolgardie and Menzies have also expressed an interest in hosting the repository.
Shire of Wiluna deputy president Graham Harris yesterday told the Kalgoorlie Miner that Wiluna would be "taking a look".
"I think we would definitely look at it for sure, I think we would be silly not to," Mr Harris said.
"We have quite a bit of land out the back just like Leonora and Laverton."
Mr Harris also flagged the possibility of the issue being tackled by the Goldfields Voluntary Regional Organisation of Councils.
"We've got a GVROC meeting coming up in May, and I think it will be high on the agenda then," he said.
"I think it will end up being a GVROC issue across the board and people will end up working together, I think it could be a good thing for the whole district."
Shire of Dundas president Jacqui Best confirmed the matter had come to council this month, but said councillors were "sitting on the fence".
"We have looked at it, the letter has been presented to council and we are waiting for further discussion," Ms Best said.
"We're not saying no and we're not saying yes at this stage."
City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder chief executive Don Burnett yesterday said the City was not interested in hosting the facility.
Shire of Esperance president Malcolm Heasman said considering past sentiment in the town it was unlikely Esperance would be interested.
"I don't think we would even entertain the idea," he said.
The final deadline for waste dump nominations is May 5.
