The Department of Industry, Innovation and Science’s head of resources Bruce Wilson indicated that when he makes his report to the minister, he would make it clear the community was united in its opposition to the proposal. 

“I heard every word you said here. I am not going back to the minister and saying there are mixed views in this community,” Mr Wilson said.

The meeting was organised after it was revealed a panel of government experts planned to meet with community members on an individual basis. 

The community had other ideas and insisted the meeting be a public one that anyone could attend. This way they could be certain everyone got the same information.

By 10am the Royal Hall was full to overflowing. 

For the next two-and-a-half hours Mr Wilson talked about the good safety record of overseas radioactive waste facilities. He listened to the community’s concerns and answered their pointed questions. 

Mr Wilson said at this point the site at Sallys Flat/Hill End has potential, but has not been determined as suitable. He said it was helpful to be able to get out into the short-listed community, where he was given very clear feedback. 

“The government does not wish to site the facility anywhere there is no broad support from the community,” Mr Wilson said.

He said at the moment the government was simply trying to determine which sites would be put forward for further consideration.

The departmental head said Australia has 60 years’ worth of legacy radioactive waste currently stored at 60 separate facilities, however, the generally held belief is that it would be best managed in a central facility. He spoke at length about how safe both the facility and transport of the waste would be and promised that a waste storage facility would never be used for high level waste.

Mr Wilson said once a suitable location has been selected, construction and operation would begin in 2018-2020. He said he was very happy to keep engaging with the community during the consultation period, which ends in March next year.

At the conclusion of the meeting, community spokesperson Robyn Rayner said she has never been as proud to be a member of the Hill End community as she was that day. 

She spoke about what people have done for their community by opposing the nuclear waste dump and praised the way everyone conducted themselves with professionalism and respect.

n Read what members of the Hill End community had to say at the meeting in Saturday's Weekend Advocate.