Fed: Nuclear body safety concerns ahead of reactor decision

AAP General News (Australia)
08-03-2000
Fed: Nuclear body safety concerns ahead of reactor decision

By Linda McSweeny

CANBERRA, Aug 3 AAP - The plan to build a $280 million nuclear reactor at Sydney's
Lucas Heights is in limbo today, with the body charged to give it final approval concerned
about safety.

The proposed replacement research reactor would not proceed unless the federal government
had its waste storage plans in place, the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear
Safety Agency (ARPANSA) said.

The government must first establish clear and safe plans for the storage of intermediate-level
nuclear waste before licences could be issued to build the reactor, ARPANSA chief executive
John Loy said.

"I have said I would need to see progress on the strategy of the plan to establish
a store for the intermediate waste," Mr Loy said.

The store would house spent fuel waste emanating from the current Lucas Heights reactor
and being shipped overseas for processing, but its location is yet to be finalised.

The Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) recently signed
contracts with Argentinian company IVAP to proceed with the design and building of the
reactor.

But it cannot proceed until Mr Loy hands out the construction and operation licences,
expected to be next year ahead of its planned construction in 2002.

"I think the government is certainly aware of my position," Mr Loy said.

"I don't think it comes as any surprise to the government or ANSTO.

"I've indicated this general position to ANSTO and the government departments months
ago when people asked me for my view of it in letters."

Sutherland Shire Council, the southern Sydney council governing the Lucas Heights area,
took Mr Loy's comments today as a step ahead in the fight against the reactor.

"Last month, ANSTO celebrated the contract signing for the new reactor by cutting a
cake," Sutherland Mayor Ken McDonell said in a statement.

"My Loy's comments have today put the icing on the cake for council and the community,
not the federal government and ANSTO.

"His comments also prove the fight is only just beginning and that, together, we can
stop this project from going ahead."

The Australian Conservation Foundation believes Mr Loy's comments warrant an independent
inquiry into the need for a reactor.

"This (ARPANSA statement) acknowledges there are unresolved issues for the reactor
and the waste dump and it's giving a clear signal to Canberra that it needs to review
these projects," ACF campaigner Dave Sweeney said.

"It cannot impose radioactive facilities in any part of the community.

"ACF is calling now for the speedy implementation of an independent inquiry on the
projects and for the national waste dump and reactor to be halted during the time of the
inquiry."

But Mr Loy said he simply wanted safety issues addressed.

"It's obviously not my job to work with the council to stop the reactor," he said.

"My job is to see that what's put forward is safe and that's what I'll do."

AAP lm/mfh/mk/bwl

KEYWORD: LUCAS

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