Huge cask of nuclear waste to be quietly transported to Sydney
Nuclear waste shipment bound for Sydney https://www.aap.com.au/news/nuclear-waste-shipment-bound-for-sydney/, Tracey Ferrier March 11, 2022,
Police are preparing to escort a monolithic steel cask of nuclear waste to Sydney this weekend, reigniting debate about Australia’s plans for the toxic material.
The hulking capsule resembling something from NASA’s space program contains two tonnes of intermediate-level radioactive waste that will need to be isolated from the environment for thousands of years.
But for the time being it will be stored at the Lucas Heights nuclear reactor compound in southern Sydney.
The waste is being returned under the international principle that countries must take back their nuclear leftovers after reprocessing. In Australia’s case that’s been done offshore.
Kimba will be a near-surface facility and a permanent solution for low-level waste only. The intermediate material will once more be in storage.
The federal government has committed to developing a separate end solution for the more toxic stuff. It will involve deep burial but so far there’s no firm plan, and no site has been identified to take it.
Australian Conservation Foundation campaigner Dave Sweeney says the nation’s most potent nuclear waste should not be moved to Kimba.
He says the problem is being kicked down the road, for some future government to sort out.
We believe there’s a very real risk that this material gets stranded in sub-optimal conditions at Kimba. Move it once, move it well, and move it permanently,” he says.
“Our position is that the Lucas Heights facility is the best place for Australia’s most serious waste. It has the highest security, the highest emergency monitoring and response capacity. It is staffed 24/7, and 95 per cent of the stuff is already there.”
The Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation operates the Lucas Heights reactor, which supports nuclear medicine and science.
Resources and Water Minister Keith Pitt said it was international best practice to consolidate radioactive waste at a single, safe, purpose-built facility.
“That is what the government is delivering,” he said, while noting it would take several decades to find an end solution for intermediate waste.
He said ANSTO had warned it would need to build three additional waste storage buildings at Lucas Heights if the national facility wasn’t built.
For security reasons, ANSTO won’t confirm when the cask will be moved from Port Kembla to Lucas Heights.
It said the cask is so well shielded that someone could stand next to it for 25 hours and get the same radiation dose as a nine-hour flight to Singapore.
Police have told AAP an operation is planned for Saturday to aid the transportation of cargo to ANSTO’s Lucas Heights campus. It said no further details would be provided.
Liberal Senator Concetta Fierravanti-Wells wants Port Kembla as nuclear submarine base – Dr Helen Caldicott and Wollongong Council disagree
Port Kembla the ‘obvious choice’ for nuclear submarine base, Liberal Senator says
ABC Illawarra / By Tim Fernandez 8 Mar 2022 Port Kembla could become the home of the first major military base to be built in Australia in more than 20 years, but the prospect of nuclear activity in the region has split the community.
Key points:
- Concetta Fierravanti-Wells says Port Kembla is the “obvious choice” for the base
- Nobel Prize-winning anti-nuclear activist Helen Caldicott says the base will turn Wollongong into a military target
- Wollongong has been a nuclear-free city since 1980
Prime Minister Scott Morrison confirmed yesterday that a submarine base would be built on Australia’s east coast as part of the AUKUS partnership with the US and the UK.
Port Kembla, Newcastle and Brisbane have been floated as possible locations for the base, but the ABC understands Wollongong is the Defence Department’s preferred site.
………………… Liberal Senator Concetta Fierravanti-Wells has been advocating for the Garden Island Naval Base in Sydney to be moved to Port Kembla since 2015.
‘Vote-buying gimmick’
The South Coast has a long history of community opposition to nuclear projects and the identification of Port Kembla as a possible destination for nuclear assets has reignited the debate.
One of the pioneers of the Australian anti-nuclear movement, Helen Caldicott, has spent decades raising awareness of the nuclear threat and won the 1985 Nobel Peace Prize for her work.
The Berry resident believed the base would pose an unmanageable risk to the area.
“Huge amounts of money being spent, nuclear activity at Port Kembla, which is always dangerous, and making it a target in the event of war, like Pine Gap,” Dr Caldicott said.
“It is just a vote-buying gimmick, obviously, when the Prime Minister should be spending that sort of money on the people in Lismore, many of whom have lost their houses.
“I think it should be treated with cynicism, and for Port Kembla to understand the dangers — both with dealing with nuclear activities and making it a possible target.”
The Labor Party supports the AUKUS partnership, but its candidate in the Wollongong-based seat of Cunningham, Alison Byrnes, has criticised the government’s secrecy around the plan.
“It has been really disrespectful for our community — they deserve to have all the details,” she said.
“The Prime Minister is using national security for his own job security, which suits his political timeline and not national security priorities.”
Nuclear-free zone
Wollongong council has been a nuclear-free zone since 1980 and in 2019 the council adopted the United Nations Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons…………………. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-03-08/port-kembla-submarine-base-proposal-reignites-nuclear-debate/100889814
Jellyfish would inevitably force nuclear submarines into shutdown, if fleet based in Brisbane
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Jellyfish would ‘inevitably’ force nuclear submarines into shutdown if fleet based in Brisbane, expert says
Leading marine scientist says Moreton Bay, one of three sites shortlisted, is bad choice due to risk to reactors if jellyfish sucked in. Guardian, Ben Smee in Brisbane, @BenSmee, Fri 11 Mar 2022 .
Australia’s nuclear-powered submarines would “inevitably” be forced into an emergency reactor shutdown by swarms of jellyfish if the fleet was based in Brisbane, a leading marine scientist says.
The Australian government this week released a shortlist of three sites – Brisbane, Newcastle and Wollongong – as a potential east-coast home port for the nuclear submarine fleet, which will arrive in about 2036 under the Aukus partnership with the US and the UK.
The Queensland government has been cagey when asked whether it supports a base in Brisbane, a position described as “very strange” by the federal defence minister, Peter Dutton, whose electorate is in Brisbane…………
Jellyfish expert Lisa-ann Gershwin, a leading marine biologist, says Brisbane is “close to the absolute worst place” for a nuclear submarine base, due to the conditions in Moreton Bay and the frequent jellyfish blooms.
In 2006, the US nuclear-powered supercarrier USS Ronald Reagan was forced into an emergency reactor shutdown in Brisbane after it sucked more than 800kg of jellyfish into its condensers, hindering coolant from reaching the main reactors.
Picture if you will America’s biggest, most expensive, most fearsome, awesome supercarrier is on its maiden voyage,” Gershwin said.
“It comes into the port of Brisbane and it sucks in thousands of jellyfish. It was a very embarrassing situation for the American navy. Luckily there was no major accident, nothing happened, nothing exploded.
“But when you’re dealing with nuclear anything, you’ve got to be [more cautious].”
The phenomenon of jellyfish shutdowns is surprisingly common in any power plant that sucks in water as a coolant
Gershwin says any base for a submarine with an in-built nuclear reactor could not be enclosed like Moreton Bay, which is sheltered by Moreton Island and North Stradbroke Island.
“Jellyfish act like plastic,” Gershwin said.
“If you’ve ever seen a pool filter that’s got a plastic wrapper caught, it clogs up … and floods all over the place because it’s not going through the filter. The water gets stopped by this ‘plastic’ and then the water can’t pass by that. Emergency shutdowns of power plants happen all the time, very frequently.”
Gershwin said that if Brisbane was used to base nuclear submarines, a jellyfish shutdown would be “inevitable”………
You’ve got to be really careful about where you put these things. Anywhere that you’ve got warm water, you’re going to have jellyfish. Moreton Bay is just sucked in with jellyfish.”
Brisbane ranked eighth of the sites considered by Defence as a potential submarine base in 2011, with Sydney listed as the best choice.…………. https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/mar/11/jellyfish-nuclear-submarine-emergency-reactor-shutdown-brisbane-base-moreton-bay-australia
One Two or Three Nuclear Waste Dumps for Australia?
Paul Waldon Fight to stop a nuclear waste dump in South Australia. https://www.facebook.com/groups/34445260589955611 Mar 22
One Two or Three Nuclear Waste Dumps for Australia?
ANSTO, Lucas Heights will remain Australia’s number “one” radioactive dump as long as they keep producing waste as its main long lived chosen product at their facility.
Kimba may be the number “two” radioactive dump 1700 kilometers west of the most centralized site (number one), based on volume of waste per kilometer.
An unknown site has yet to be considered for the number “three” radioactive dump. Yes, I talk of the site for Australia’s to be proposed nuclear submarine graveyard.
Australia hits new renewables milestone, Taylor claims credit — RenewEconomy
Taylor claims credit for surging renewables share, while praising the Morrison government’s investments in the gas industry. The post Australia hits new renewables milestone, Taylor claims credit appeared first on RenewEconomy.
Australia hits new renewables milestone, Taylor claims credit — RenewEconomy
Great Solar Business Podcast: How to make a blokey industry more inclusive — RenewEconomy
A frank and practical conversation with Bobbi McKibbin from Australian Women in Solar Energy and Solar Integrity about creating more opportunities for women in the solar industry. The post Great Solar Business Podcast: How to make a blokey industry more inclusive appeared first on RenewEconomy.
Great Solar Business Podcast: How to make a blokey industry more inclusive — RenewEconomy
New research centre for delivery of affordable, reliable and sustainable energy — RenewEconomy
Delivering affordable, reliable and sustainable energy to regional and remote communities the key aim of new Federation University research centre in Victoria. The post New research centre for delivery of affordable, reliable and sustainable energy appeared first on RenewEconomy.
New research centre for delivery of affordable, reliable and sustainable energy — RenewEconomy
Offshore wind a massive opportunity for green hydrogen, D’Ambrosio says — RenewEconomy
Victoria’s offshore wind target will not just help fill the hole created by coal, but also boost green hydrogen opportunities, energy minister says. The post Offshore wind a massive opportunity for green hydrogen, D’Ambrosio says appeared first on RenewEconomy.
Offshore wind a massive opportunity for green hydrogen, D’Ambrosio says — RenewEconomy
Oceanex talks $10 billion NSW floating offshore wind plans, and huge supply-chain task — RenewEconomy
Oceanex Energy offers new details on gigawatt-scale plans for NSW coast, ahead of release of major report mapping out the enormous task as the industry scales up. The post Oceanex talks $10 billion NSW floating offshore wind plans, and huge supply-chain task appeared first on RenewEconomy.
Oceanex talks $10 billion NSW floating offshore wind plans, and huge supply-chain task — RenewEconomy
“Don’t walk away from the solar industry:” Opportunities ahead for rooftop PV, says analyst — RenewEconomy
Appeal to Australian rooftop solar installers, spooked by forecasts of a contracting market and global supply-chain problems, to stay in the business. The post “Don’t walk away from the solar industry:” Opportunities ahead for rooftop PV, says analyst appeared first on RenewEconomy.
“Don’t walk away from the solar industry:” Opportunities ahead for rooftop PV, says analyst — RenewEconomy
Japan’s nuclear power plants are “not designed for war” and if attacked by missiles, “radioactive materials will be scattered — Fukushima 311 Watchdogs
KEPCO’s Takahama Nuclear Power Plant March 9, 2022At a meeting of the House of Representatives’ Committee on Economy, Trade, and Industry on March 9, Chairman Toyoshi Sarada of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission said, “There is concern that radioactive materials will be spread” in the event of a missile attack on a nuclear power plant in […]
Japan’s nuclear power plants are “not designed for war” and if attacked by missiles, “radioactive materials will be scattered — Fukushima 311 Watchdogs
(11 Years after the Great East Japan Earthquake) Forest untouched by decontamination, creatures exposed to radiation continue to be affected at the cellular level — Fukushima 311 Watchdogs
Tohoku University lecturer Masatoshi Suzuki arranges samples of Japanese macaques in Sendai City on February 8. March 8, 2022 Eleven years have passed since the accident at TEPCO’s Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. While decontamination has progressed mainly in residential areas and other areas where people live, vast areas of forests remain largely untouched. A wild […]
(11 Years after the Great East Japan Earthquake) Forest untouched by decontamination, creatures exposed to radiation continue to be affected at the cellular level — Fukushima 311 Watchdogs
River fishing limits remain 11 years after nuclear disaster — Fukushima 311 Watchdogs
Researchers catch fish in the Otagawa river in Minami-Soma, Fukushima Prefecture, on Dec. 14, 2021, to survey the concentration of radioactive materials. (Keitaro Fukuchi) March 7, 2022 FUKUSHIMA–A sign along the Manogawa river that runs through Minami-Soma, Fukushima Prefecture, is faded, but the message is clear–and perhaps unnecessary. “Regulations have yet to be lifted,” it […]
River fishing limits remain 11 years after nuclear disaster — Fukushima 311 Watchdogs
Booklets touting Fukushima plant water discharge angers schools — Fukushima 311 Watchdogs
A leaflet distributed by the Reconstruction Agency for junior and senior high school students on the three topics regarding tainted water treated by the Advanced Liquid Processing System (ALPS) is shown at the Miyagi prefectural government office on Feb. 21. (Ryuichiro Fukuoka) March 7, 2022 Complaints from educators have prompted some municipalities in coastal areas of […]
Booklets touting Fukushima plant water discharge angers schools — Fukushima 311 Watchdogs
Ukraine war fills Pentagon’s, NATO allies’ war chests
“Over multiple administrations, Democrat and Republican, we have tried to minimize friction with Putin and with Russia, in the hopes that it wouldn’t exacerbate a problem….And I feel like that era is over,” said Slotkin, a former Pentagon official. “I think it’s a sea change for how both the Defense Department and the State Department should think about our presence in Europe.”
[N]ow there is a unique moment of bipartisanship that will allow the Pentagon to request and receive just about anything it wants, Rep. Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich., said last week during a House Armed Services Committee hearing. Congress is poised to approve $14 billion for Ukraine aid this week, including nearly $5 billion for additional troops in Europe and replenishing U.S. weapons already sent to Ukraine. The House passed the package Wednesday and the Senate is expected to vote on the bill by Friday.
“Over multiple administrations, Democrat and Republican, we have tried to minimize friction with Putin and with Russia, in the hopes that it wouldn’t exacerbate a problem….And I feel like that era is over,” said Slotkin, a former Pentagon official. “I think it’s a sea change for how both the Defense Department and the State Department should think about our presence in Europe.”
Ukraine war fills Pentagon’s, NATO allies’ war chests https://wordpress.com/read/feeds/113283937/posts/3880404511, Rick Rozoff, Anti-bellum
Stars and Stripes, March 10, 2022,
Congressional support for larger defense budget grows amid Ukraine invasion The changing security landscape in Eastern Europe will “no doubt” increase next year’s defense budget, Rep. Adam Smith, D-Wash., chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, said at an event last week. Other Capitol Hill lawmakers say they are also prepared to funnel more money to the Pentagon as the U.S. rethinks its national security and defense posture.
“President [Joe] Biden needs to put a serious budget proposal forward to confront the real threats we face,” Sen. Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., said in a statement. “Russia is just one reason why defense spending needs to be higher. China and other nations are watching the seriousness and resolve of freedom-loving nations.”
Russia’s unprovoked attack on Ukraine has prompted other NATO countries to pledge additional funding for their armed services.
In a reversal of decades of post-Cold War policy, Germany’s Chancellor Olaf Scholz said last month that his country would embark on a $110 billion rearming program. Poland announced last week that it will raise its spending on defense from 2% to 3% of the country’s gross domestic product. Leaders of France, Italy, Latvia and Romania have all vowed in recent days to boost their commitment to defense.
U.S. lawmakers authorized nearly $778 billion for defense spending for the 2022 fiscal year – $25 billion more than requested by the White House. The Biden administration has yet to submit its budget request for fiscal year 2023, which starts Oct. 1, but Smith said last week that the eventual spending plan will be “the most impactful and important budget that we’ve seen in the 25 years I’ve been in Congress.”
Sen. Jim Inhofe of Oklahoma, the top Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee, said he wants to see defense expenditures grow by at least 3% to 5%, adjusted for inflation….
[N]ow there is a unique moment of bipartisanship that will allow the Pentagon to request and receive just about anything it wants, Rep. Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich., said last week during a House Armed Services Committee hearing. Congress is poised to approve $14 billion for Ukraine aid this week, including nearly $5 billion for additional troops in Europe and replenishing U.S. weapons already sent to Ukraine. The House passed the package Wednesday and the Senate is expected to vote on the bill by Friday.
“Over multiple administrations, Democrat and Republican, we have tried to minimize friction with Putin and with Russia, in the hopes that it wouldn’t exacerbate a problem….And I feel like that era is over,” said Slotkin, a former Pentagon official. “I think it’s a sea change for how both the Defense Department and the State Department should think about our presence in Europe.”
1 This month.
PETITION – To: Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and the Australian Labor Government
Chernobyl: The Lost Tapes – A good documentary on Chernobyl on SBS available On Demand for the next 3 weeks– https://www.sbs.com.au/ondemand/tv-program/chernobyl-the-lost-tapes/235274195556
19 May – Webinar- Webinar: No Nuclear Weapons in Australia
Start: 2026-05-19 18:00:00 UTC Canberra, Melbourne, Sydney (GMT+10:00)
End: 2026-05-19 19:30:00 UTC Canberra, Melbourne, Sydney (GMT+10:00)
20 May – Webinar – The dangerous world of AUKUS, US, military occupation and suppression of dissent
National Webinar, 20th May, 2026, 6.30pm AEST. Confronting laws restricting/suppressing protest speech and action
Speakers: Former Sen. Rex Patrick, Lawyer Nick Hanna ,Arthur Rorris ,Jorgen Doyle, Sen David Shoebbridge,
Facilitator Kelley Tranter.
of the week – Australians for War Powers Reform (AWPR)
To see nuclear-related stories in greater depth and intensity
Antinuclear 