ANSTO has appointed an external consultancy, PPK Environment and Infrastructure Pty Ltd to prepare an Environment Impact Statement (EIS) on the effect of constructing and operating a replacement nuclear research reactor within the Lucas Heights Science and Technology Centre.
'The EIS should be finished around the middle of 1998 following widespread community consultation to ensure that all concerns about the replacement reactor are fully explored,' ANSTO's Executive Director, Professor Helen Garnett said.
The Federal Government announced on 3 September 1997 that it would replace ANSTO's ageing HIFAR research reactor with a modern version at the Lucas Heights and Technology Centre by 2005.
The proposal was referred for assessment under the Commonwealth Environment Protection (Impact of Proposals) Act 1974, following which the Minister for the Environment, Senator Robert Hill, directed that an EIS be prepared.
The EIS will be administered by the Minister's Environment Protection Group of Environment Australia (Department of Environment). The EIS draft guidelines prepared by Environment Australia were made available for public review from 8 November to 6 December 1997 to ensure that all relevant issues were included and to facilitate public understanding of the EIS process.
A total of 117 responses to the draft guidelines were received and are being taken into account by Environment Australia before they released the final guidelines under which the EIS will be conducted. EIS consultants, PPK is a Sydney based organisation experienced in a wide range of planning and environmental studies and assessments PPK's expertise and capabilities will be enhanced by utilising the services of NNC Limited, a UK-based environmental assessment and control consulting company with considerable expertise in the nuclear industry.
'We very much want the EIS to be as rigorous and open as possible in order to reassure everyone that a replacement research reactor is fully compatible with responsible environmental management,' Professor Garnett said.
'We applaud the high priority given to community consultation as it means individuals and groups interested in the replacement reactor proposal will have ample time and opportunity to participate in and contribute to the EIS.'
When completed, the draft EIS will be widely publicised and made available for public comment for a minimum of 28 days in accordance with the Commonwealth Environment protection Act. PPK expects to release details soon on the proposed consultation activities it intends pursuing during the preparation of the draft EIS.
Published: 09/01/1998