National Radioactive Waste Management Project is deceiving local communities

EnuFF[SA https://www.facebook.com/sanuclearfree/, 14 Feb 18, Many people are aware of the approx 10 cubic metres reprocessed spent fuel classed as ILW & returned from France in 2015. Not more generally known is the fact that there is much much more ILW destined for ‘temporary storage’ above ground (contrary to IAEA best practice) in the proposed suppository.

Trying to get current figures is nigh on impossible. If anyone has access to such then please share that knowledge with us….

One abject failure of the National Radioactive Waste Management Project to fully inform local communities, the State Parliament, or even their own Federal Minister, are facts about the so-called Intermediate Level Waste (ILW). Even those who are following the issue may only be aware of the approx 10 cubic metres of reprocessed fuel returned from France in 2015. However, there is much much more ILW. Below is an extract table of Australia’s ILW inventory from 1999 (now 2018 & there could be more):

Waste forms to be accepted at a long-lived intermediate level waste store

ANSTO Radioisotope Production solid waste

ANSTO-HIFAR spent fuel reprocessing waste COGEMA glass matrix DOUNREY cemented Yet to be returned

ANSTO-HIFAR decommissioning waste Care & maintenance

ANSTO-OPAL Operational waste Prior to OPAL start Spent fuel reprocessing Yet to eventuate Eventual decommissioning Yet to eventuate

Over 600 cubic metres of ILW initially placed in a ‘temporary’ above ground store & each year another 7 added with an open-ended time frame – could be for decades to come. 1 Primary source: “National Radioactive Waste Repository Site Selection Study – A Report on Public Comment”, Department of Industry, Science and Resources, June 1999, page 48 https://industry.gov.au/resource/Documents/radioactive_waste/report_on_public_comment_phase_3.pdf viewed 13/02/18