Nuclear waste on site is Responsible - 25 September 2008

Greens MLC and environmental spokesperson, Ian Cohen is relieved to see the door closing on plans to transport nuclear waste to the Northern Territory.

“By creating a new onsite storage facility at Lucas Heights the Federal Government is avoiding the need to transport nuclear waste risking a catastrophic nuclear accident”, said Mr Cohen.

“The proposed expansion of the Lucas Heights waste storage facility also avoids the possibility of this nuclear waste being dumped in the backyard of NT and SA indigenous communities. They have made it perfectly clear that they do not want any nuclear waste transported and dumped in their lands. This represents a positive safety option compared to the alternative of transport”, said Mr Cohen.

Greens policy supports the onsite storage of nuclear waste in above ground and in dry storage facilities instead of being transported through residential areas and isolated areas without adequate HAZMAT support to off site storage.

“ANSTO have said that one of the main reasons for this new storage facility is to consolidate nuclear materials stored around the Lucas Heights site. It also mentions that it needs to do this to make way for the eventual decommissioning of their HIFAR reactor – the decommissioning will create enormous volumes to be transported off site.”

ANSTO’s decision to apply to the Federal Environment Minister for permission to add a new nuclear materials store is an acknowledgement of the danger posed by transport through our communities. The 2004 NSW Joint Select Committee on the Transportation and Storage of Nuclear Waste, of which Mr Ian Cohen was a member, highlighted the serious dangers of nuclear waste transport through suburban and regional areas.

Federal Green Senator, Scott Ludlam has today introduced legislation to repeal the Howard Government's Commonwealth Radioactive Waste Management Act 2005 to protect the Northern Territory and particularly communities around Muckaty Station near Tennant Creek, which may well get a nuclear waste dump unless this law is repealed.