PRIME wool producers around Sallys Flat fear the potential establishment of a nuclear waste dump on a neighbouring property could put their livelihoods at risk.
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Geoff and Robyn Rayner produce some of the best superfine fleece in the world at their Pomanara Merino Stud, close to a neighbouring property that has been short-listed for a permanent radioactive waste dump.
The Rayners’ home is the closest residence to the site which, if it goes ahead, will take all of Australia’s medical and intermediate level nuclear waste, including radioactive waste currently stored at the Lucas Heights nuclear reactor in Sydney.
The Sallys Flat site has been offered to the federal government for use by the landowner.
The Rayners have just signed up to become a sustainable operation and said they had to meet stringent criteria.
Now, with the prospect of nuclear waste on their doorstep, all that has been put at risk.
“The stigma sticks,” Mr Rayner said.
Three generations of the family have made their living from the land. Now they wonder if they will have a future.
“What will we do? You can’t just pack 2000 sheep up and move. Where do we go?” Mrs Rayner said.
On Friday, Calare MP John Cobb said he was relaxed about the proposal to consider Sallys Flat for a nuclear waste dump.
He said he felt the waste was so non-threatening you could put it in a bag and sleep on it without feeling any ill effects.
“We’re disgusted by Mr Cobb's response," Mr Rayner said.
Yesterday morning the Rayners went to Mr Cobb’s office to find out specific details of the proposal and were given a few brochures outlining why it was important to find a permanent home for the nation’s nuclear waste.
No one had any specific details or answers for them.
“We feel like second-class citizens. Farmers are being treated like they don't matter," Mr Rayner said.
The couple are angry that the first they heard of the proposal was on Friday when it was announced in the media.
Mr Rayner said those directly affected should have been consulted before Sallys Flat was announced as a short-listed location.
“There is no excuse for all this secrecy,” he said.
The couple moved onto their property in 1966 from the property next door.
The land has been owned by Geoff’s father, Geoff, and now his son James.
“It is a very big part of our family stud," Mr Rayner said.
Mr and Mrs Rayner said they were concerned that once the facility was built, waste that was even more dangerous would follow.
“You don't know what they are going to do once they have one foot in the door,” he said.
