Government to seek voluntary nominations for a National Radioactive Waste Management Facility site

The nationwide process will provide an opportunity for landowners in all States and Territories to nominate land for a facility under the National Radioactive Waste Management Act 2012.

The Department of Industry will establish technical and public interest stakeholder panels to assist in developing a framework to shortlist potentially suitable volunteered sites. Sites will be assessed against technical, economic, social and environmental factors.

The site, construction and operation of the facility will be subject to assessment and approval under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 and the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Act 1998.  This multi-stage process will involve extensive community consultation and ensure safety and the protection of human health and the environment.

Australia has 4,000 cubic metres of low level and 550 cubic metres of medium level waste in temporary storage. The Government is committed to taking responsibility for this waste, which is a by-product of world leading medical and industrial processes that benefit all Australians.

The site identification, assessment and selection will be transparent, rigorous and informed by thorough public consultation.

More information can be found at http://www.radioactivewaste.gov.au/

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