Nuclear waste that originated in Lucas Heights is due to return to Australia soon
Why don’t people realise the distinction between the relatively small amounts of nuclear waste (originating at Lucas Heights) that Australia is contracted to take back, and the greedy dream of some to import nuclear wastes from other countries?
Four shipments of Australian radioactive waste was sent to France for “reprocessing” between 1999 and 2004, and the first of it will be returned by sea to Australia between September and March 2016.
More time needed to plan for nuclear waste dump: councils, SMH, March 13, 2015 – Peter Ker Resources reporter Councils interested in housing Australia’s radioactive waste dump have complained the Abbott government’s tender period is too short for them to make a decision, inclusive with their communities, on the divisive issue.
The government has given landowners and communities two months to nominate as the best location for the national waste facility, which will permanently house intermediate level nuclear waste produced at the Lucas Heights reactors in southern Sydney.
The federal government’s search for places to store Australia’s radioactive waste comes as South Australia prepares to hold a royal commission into the prospect of expanding its role in the nuclear cycle, including whether to become a store for other nation’s radioactive waste.
Some prominent Australians, including Liberal Senator Sean Edwards, have publicly spruiked the concept of storing other nations’ nuclear waste in Australia to generate revenue. Voices as diverse as the Australian Workers Union, former Telstra chief, Ziggy Switkowski and former NSW premier Bob Carr have called for a rethink on nuclear power.
Remote, sparsely populated and geologically stable areas are the most viable locations to store such waste, and it is understood that more than ten councils are considering nominating for the federal government’s tender.
The federal government is expecting five to seven of those to become official bidders.
Leonora Shire council in the Western Australian goldfields is considering nomination, but chief executive Jim Epis said the council could lose interest if it did not have time to properly survey its population on the issue…..
The nearby Coolgardie Shire council is also believed to be interested in housing the facility, but has sought more information from the federal government before confirming its candidacy.
The federal member for the Liberal seat of O’Connor, Rick Wilson, said he would seek talks with Industry Minister Ian Macfarlane in Canberra next week over the possibility of extending the tender period beyond its current conclusion on May 5. …….
The failure to find a suitable location over the past two decades means that intermediate level radioactive waste will have to be temporarily housed at Lucas Heights within a year.
Four shipments of Australian radioactive waste was sent to France for “reprocessing” between 1999 and 2004, and the first of it will be returned by sea to Australia between September and March 2016.
The Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, which operates Lucas Heights, has in recent days sought government approval for its plan to transport the material from a yet-to-be-determined port to Lucas Heights, via the streets of Sydney.
While the exact route is yet to be determined, ANSTO said it would use “a combination of major roads” to move the waste from the port to Lucas Heights…..
ANSTO said the waste would be carried in super-strong containers that were capable of withstanding a fall of more than nine metres and an 800-degree fire that lasted for more than 30 minutes.
http://www.smh.com.au/business/mining-and-resources/more-time-needed-to-plan-for-nuclear-waste-dump-councils-20150313-143454.html#ixzz3UIpMSLKZ
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of the week – Disrupting War & Militarism in Oceania. Active solidarity. Radical practice.
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