ANSTO today welcomed the recommendations of the Minister for the Environment and Heritage regarding the environmental acceptability of the proposed replacement research reactor at Lucas Heights.
The Chief Executive of ANSTO, Professor Helen Garnett, welcomed the findings that confirmed, "that there were no environmental reasons for preventing the granting of Commonwealth approval for the replacement nuclear reactor."
ANSTO looks forward to receiving full details of the decision. In September 1997, the Federal Government announced that it would provide funding for ANSTO to replace its present research reactor, subject to the proposal meeting environmental and regulatory requirements.
A modern swimming pool type reactor would produce a higher neutron flux than the current reactor, enabling research into new nuclear medicines, and new materials such as plastics, polymers, lightweight substances and those important to nano-technology. The proposed replacement reactor would be 14-20 megawatts, compared to the present reactors 10 megawatts.
The replacement research reactor will enable Australia to meet the growing demand for medical radiopharmaceuticals, to provide research capabilities for advancing Australian science, to support industrial and scientific applications, and to provide nuclear expertise necessary in the national interest.
The environmental assessment of the proposal has taken some 18 months. A draft environmental impact statement was available for public comment for 12 weeks and attracted 935 responses from throughout Australia, including 97 from Sutherland Shire.
It is anticipated that a request for tender will be issued later this year to the four vendors who were prequalified. High level skills and technology transfers to Australia will be prerequisites.
As recommended by Senator Hill, the new Commonwealth regulator, the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency, will be responsible for regulatory issues including the issue of licences prior to commencement of construction.
ANSTO looks forward to receiving the final decision of the Minister for Industry, Science and Resources. The replacement research reactor is scheduled for commissioning by the end of 2005. ANSTOs current reactor has been in operation since 1958.
Published: 30/03/1999