Natalie Whiting reported this story on Monday, May 9, 2016 18:35:00

TONY EASTLEY: In its final report, South Australia's royal commission into the nuclear industry has recommended the State Government pursue setting up a high-level nuclear waste facility.



It says social consent from the community would be essential, but it says a public vote would not be the best way to gauge support.



The commission found an international waste facility would be safe, viable and an economic opportunity.



From Adelaide, Natalie Whiting reports.



KEVIN SCARCE: The plan today is to walk through the report recommendations.



NATALIE WHITING: After more than a year, more than 2,000 hours of testimony and 252 submissions, it's come down to this: 320-page report and 12 recommendations.



The most significant that the State Government pursue establishing an international waste dump.



The now former royal commissioner, Kevin Scarce, says he's convinced it can be done safely.



KEVIN SCARCE: There's a reason why you see such benefits from it because nobody's done it before.



NATALIE WHITING: Those benefits, a potential $257 billion in revenue over its life. It's estimated to cost $145 billion to set up.



The report says social consent is fundamental.



The commissioner has called for an independent body to be set up to engage with the community.



KEVIN SCARCE: Let's not gloss over the risks or the safety issues of it. Let's get it out there and have a discussion.



NATALIE WHITING: But the report says a public vote isn't the best way to gauge support.



KEVIN SCARCE: Social consent is not a point in time, it's a continuum, because we would need to develop this discussion over probably 10 or 15 years to get to a point where we make a decision, "Yes we're going to proceed with this".



It's an issue for government to decide how they will consider social consent.



NATALIE WHITING: But the Government is remaining tight lipped about how it will gauge support.



The Premier, Jay Weatherill, says they'll announce a public consultation plan soon.



JAY WEATHERILL: It's something which is qualitative, it's something that we have to assess, and it is a distinctly political judgement about where we believe this community is.



NATALIE WHITING: He says the Government will aim to make a decision on the proposal by the end of the year.



JAY WEATHERILL: The royal commission's final report provides a substantial evidence base for the South Australian community to embark on this discussion.



When there is ignorance there is fear. When there's fear, there's likely to be strong emotional reactions.



What we want to is to use this foundation of fact that's been created to assist us to move to the next stage.



NATALIE WHITING: The Premier says a bi-partisan approach is essential.



But the Opposition leader, Steven Marshall, has already criticised him for not having a public consultation plan ready to go.



STEVEN MARSHALL: That work needs to start and it needs to start as soon as possible. This can't go ahead unless the people of South Australia are supportive of this opportunity.



We still don't know where this particular repository could be located. We still don't know who could potentially be customers, so there's still plenty of work to be done, but we are certainly more than open to this opportunity from the Liberal Party here in South Australia.



NATALIE WHITING: This report comes as the Federal Government conducts its own process to find a nuclear waste dump for local low and intermediate waste.



Its preferred site is near Hawker, in the Flinders Ranges. It's still consulting with the community but has faced strong opposition from some locals.



The Premier says the state process could assist them.



JAY WEATHERILL: I think the report indicates that should that not be a successful process, that this process could take over, if you like, that particular as well. But that's not... It's a matter for the Commonwealth, it's not the process we're engaged in here.



NATALIE WHITING: The former commissioner, Kevin Scarce, says there are lessons to be learned from the federal process.



KEVIN SCARCE: You need to engage the community rather than land holders.



NATALIE WHITING: But before the State Government has even begun its discussions there is vocal opposition.



Environmental groups have expressed disappointment in the report and are urging the Government not to pursue a waste facility.



NATALIE WHITING: The final report also recommend the Government simplify a range of regulations to allow further processing and mining.



TONY EASTLEY: Natalie Whiting with that report.