National Radioactive Waste Management Facility – New Community Benefit Program 2019-22

Overview

The Australian Government is seeking to identify a site for a National Radioactive Waste Management Facility. This facility will provide for the disposal of Australia’s low level waste and temporary storage of Australia’s intermediate level waste. The New Community Benefit Program supports the Australian Government’s commitment to assist local communities while the site selection and establishment phases are underway. This new program is in direct response to identified community needs in the context of the final stages of the site selection process for the facility. The program provides up to $4 million to support projects that provide social or economic benefit to two local communities. These being in and around Kimba and Hawker (Wallerberdina Station) in South Australia. There is $2 million available in each region. The objectives of the program are to: support local communities throughout the site selection process mitigate and manage any potential social cohesion impacts on communities located near sites that are under consideration as a site for the facility by diversifying their economies contribute to the siting and establishment of a National Radioactive Waste Management Facility The intended outcomes of the program are: reduced social cohesion impacts on communities located near sites under consideration increased economic diversity and opportunities in affected communities Projects must be completed by 31 May 2022.