Yesterday Resources Minister Josh Frydenberg confirmed the government’s intention to acquire 100 hectares of Barndioota station, 130 kilometres north-east of Port Augusta, for the storage of low-level and intermediate radioactive waste.

Member for Calare John Cobb said he was not surprised by the decision, as the residents of Hill End were clear in their opposition to the facility. 

“From day one I made it clear the community would have their say, if they didn’t want the facility they wouldn’t get it,” he said.

“A few months ago I told the community of Hill End they would not be shortlisted, as proven today.

“The Department undertook extensive consultation with each community and I thank landholders for their active participation in the process.

“The community has spoken and the Coalition has listened,” Mr Cobb said.

Hill End residents have been very vocal in their opposition to the nuclear waste facility over the past four months.

Spokesperson for the Hill End community Robyn Rayner said she believed the fact that they came out hard and fast in opposition to the proposal played a significant role in deterring the government from acquiring land near Hill End. 

There has been a roller coaster of emotions for those involved. 

“It just about broke us,” Mrs Rayner said.

“The stress, the time, the energy, the worry – they all took a toll.

“But it was always worth the fight, even if we lost, it would still have been worth fighting for,” she said. 

Ms Rayner said she was relieved the government acted so quickly to remove Hill End from the shortlist.

She said the community didn’t really expect a decision until after the election.

“We are thankful the government made this decision early on in the process,” Ms Rayner said.

She added it was a shame, however, that once again the Hill End community learned they had been dropped from the shortlisting process from the media, and not Mr Cobb. 

When the Barndioota site was shortlisted in November, local Indigenous groups voiced their strong disapproval. 

Mrs Rayner said while she was ecstatic that Hill End was no longer being considered for the nuclear waste facility, it was hard knowing the people of Barndioota Station still had the fight of their lives ahead of them – a fight Hill End will be lending its support to. 

“We know their land is as precious to them as our land is to us,” she said.

“They stood with us in Canberra and we know they didn’t want it any more than we did.

“We understand the importance of a national nuclear waste facility dump site, but we want to make sure the government chooses the right site.”

Mrs Rayner said it was the support of so many people that had made this result possible.

She said Hill End resident Jodie Carter was an enormously important part of the campaign. 

“She’s an amazing human being,” Mrs Rayner said.

Ms Carter said since learning of the decision she has veered between tears and sadness for the people of South Australia and feeling “bloody ecstatic” that Hill End had been spared.

Geoff Rayner and community member Steve Wilson have also been a tremendous support, along with the surrounding councils of Orange, Mudgee and Lithgow.

However, Mrs Rayner feels special thanks must go to the Mayor of Bathurst Regional Council, Gary Rush, for his support from day one.

“It’s great to see a council doing what is right for their community,” she said.

“The support from the local media, the greater community and our friends has also been amazing. It’s what has gotten us over the line,” she said.

Mrs Rayner said the process had really opened her eyes and taught her a lot about what she is capable of.

“It has shown me what community spirit is, and taught me never to give up,” she said.

“We definitely feel part of the Bathurst community in a new way. It was so moving to realise the people of Bathurst hold us dear to their hearts.

“That’s a bond that will be there forever now.

“Sometimes you can get bogged down in the day to day business of running a property and forget to stop and appreciate the beauty right in front of your eyes. 

“This threat has made us do that. It has made us all appreciate where we live and that we are prepared to fight for it,” Mrs Rayner said.