SA nuclear dump opposed by many: poll

Almost half of South Australians surveyed are against hosting an international nuclear waste dump.

A new poll of 1077 voters, commissioned by The Australia Institute, showed 48 per cent were opposed to a nuclear waste facility, with 37 per cent in favour and about 14 per cent undecided.

SA's nuclear royal commission found in its interim report that a high-level dump could generate more than $257 billion in revenue over its 120-year lifespan.

The commission will consider public feedback before delivering its final report on May 6, with the state government to decide how to proceed by year's end.

The survey results, released on Monday, suggest female voters are not sold on a nuclear dump, with 59 per cent of respondents opposed and just 24.5 per cent in favour.

Younger voters were also unenthused, with 57 per cent of those surveyed saying they were against the idea.

Australia Institute executive director Ben Oquist, a former Greens staffer, said SA was better off diversifying its economy.

"The nuclear campaign has included promises of free energy and billions of dollars, all based on dubious-at-best assumptions," he said.

"South Australians appear to remain sceptical about such promises."

The think tank will release a report on Tuesday claiming the economics for the proposed multi-billion dollar project are "seriously flawed", echoing attacks from environmental groups.

The plan has also been criticised by Aboriginal groups, who say it threatens their culture and could risk contaminating bore water.

Premier Jay Weatherill, who is open to the idea, has said the dump will not proceed without broad community support.