The National Radioactive Waste Repository Project
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The National Radioactive Waste Repository Project C. Perkins1, J. Harris1, S. Veitch2 and J. Kellett2 1 Coal and Mineral Industries Division, Department of Primary Industries and Energy, GPO Box 9839, Canberra ACT 2601 2 Bureau of Rural Sciences, Agriculture, Forestry Fisheries Australia, GPO BOX 858, Canberra ACT 2601. ABSTRACT In 1992, the Commonwealth Government supported by States and Territories commenced an Australia-wide search for a site for a suitable site for a national radioactive waste repository for Australia’s small inventory of low level and short-lived intermediate level waste. In 1998, the central-north region of South Australia was chosen as the preferred area in which to undertake detailed site investigations as it had the largest area of potential suitability compared to relevant technical and social criteria. Public consultation has been conducted both nationally and in the region. Site investigations are currently in their final phase, and it is expected that a preferred site will be identified before the end of 2000. Environmental assessment and licensing processes will then commence, and the repository may be constructed in 2002. INTRODUCTION Australia requires a national repository for the small quantity (approximately 3,500 cubic meters) of low level and short lived intermediate level radioactive waste resulting from the medical, industrial and research use of radioisotopes in Australia. These wastes are in temporary storage at over 50 locations around the country, including Commonwealth and State and Territory storage facilities, hospitals, research institutions, and industry stores. The waste comprises lightly contaminated soils, plastics, paper, laboratory equipment and clothing, industrial smoke detectors, gauges and exit signs etc. Current temporary storage arrangements for radioactive waste are not ideal as many small producers of radioactive waste, such as hospitals and universities, are not equipped to manage long-term storage of the material in a satisfactory manner, and storage space is limited. A national facility for Australia’s radioactive wastes is preferable to current temporary arrangements and would be more efficient than establishing separate disposal facilities in each state. In 1992, the Commonwealth Government, supported by States and Territories, commenced an Australia-wide search for a suitable site for the near-surface disposal of Australia’s low level and short lived intermediate level radioactive waste. The process to date has consisted of three phases, and the results from each phase have been reported in public discussion papers. Phase 1 of the study, commenced in 1992, involved the development of the methodology for siting a national repository. The method used computer-based geographic information systems to apply internationally accepted site selection criteria on an Australia-wide basis.
Phase 2 of the study, commenced in 1994, involved the application of the site selection methodology developed in Phase 1, taking into consideration public comment on Phase
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