Abbott govt soon to give shortlist of sites for Lucas Heights nuclear waste dump
Nuclear waste dumps: Abbott government close to releasing shortlist of possible sites, SMH, September 3, 2015 James Massola Political correspondent The Abbott government is close to releasing a shortlist of possible sites to host a nuclear waste dump, but has missed a self-imposed August deadline. At least four locations — two in South Australia’s Kimba shire, one in Leonora in Western Australia and one in Yalgoo, WA — are among those in the running to be on the shortlist of sites that will host the “national radioactive waste management facility”, though a final decision on the location is not due until 2017.
The delay in the release of the list has prompted suggestions from Labor of a link with the Canning byelection on September 19.
In March, Industry Minister Ian Macfarlane called for voluntary site nominations. An Independent Advisory Panel, established by his department, has been working with bureaucrats to evaluate the technical and community issues faced by the project since the nominations closed in May.
Fairfax Media has been told the initial shortlist of sites has been finalised but has not yet been taken to cabinet by Mr Macfarlane, despite a government website stipulating an August 2015 deadline for the release of the shortlist.
A senior Labor source said the government was obviously worried about losing Canning and keeping Prime Minister Tony Abbott in office and that “they would not put the byelection at risk — of course they’re hiding the shortlist until after 19 September.”………
The Australian Conservation Foundation’s Dave Sweeney, who is a member of the government’s advisory panel and an anti-nuclear campaigner, said the delay would allow the government to build trust with whichever community ended up hosting the waste dump.
“We understand that a shortlist was to be announced in August, that’s clearly been delayed, but our view is responsible management can’t be fast-tracked,” he said.
He dismissed suggestions of a link with Canning.
“I wouldn’t say that. I think the minister’s timeline to decide on a preferred site is related to the federal election, but whether this is Canning or something else we are not concerned by a delay.”
The facility will store low and intermediate-level radioactive waste from Lucas Heights and Australian-produced waste that had been sent to France, the United States and Britain between 1996 and 2009, which is to be returned under inter-country agreements……….
The two proposals in Kimba have already met stiff opposition in the local community and a change.org petition has been launched.
A spokeswoman for Mr Macfarlane said he was still “considering volunteered sites that would be suitable for short-listing as possible locations for a national radioactive waste management facility…………. http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/nuclear-waste-dumps-abbott-government-close-to-releasing-shortlist-of-possible-sites-20150902-gjdlo3#ixzz3kiHvrhHX
No comments yet.
1 This month
of the week – Disrupting War & Militarism in Oceania. Active solidarity. Radical practice.
Antinuclear 
Leave a comment