The Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) this week (21 May 2001) provided to the regulator, the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA), an application for a "Facility Licence, Construction Authorisation for the replacement research reactor at the Lucas Heights Science and Technology Centre". The application includes a detailed Preliminary Safety Analysis Report (PSAR).
The licence application, a highly detailed document some 30 cms in thickness, provides:
- a full technical description of the replacement research reactor; and
- a full assessment of its safety.
The application was prepared jointly by INVAP SE and ANSTO. It contains, together with other information, details relating to the purpose, management and design of the facility; construction requirements, plans and schedule; inspection and test processes; and the status of compliance.
On receiving the application, Dr John Loy, Chief Executive ARPANSA, indicated that public submissions will be called for in response to the application. In addition, it will be independently reviewed by a group of nuclear safety experts assembled through the International Atomic Energy Agency, who will report their findings to ARPANSA. The application was lodged on time and in the same week as the tabling of the report of the Senate Select Committee for an Inquiry into the Contract for a New Reactor at Lucas Heights. This is the second such inquiry undertaken by a Senate Committee into the project.
The Committee’s Report marks the end of nine months of further public inquiry, throughout which ANSTO has acted with transparency and accountability. In particular, ANSTO supplied the Committee with extensive information concerning all matters under the Committee’s Terms of Reference.
ANSTO will carefully study the recommendations made in the Committee’s Report but notes that the Government will be tabling a considered response to the Senate Inquiry’s recommendations within three months in accordance with the usual practice.
Many of the issues raised in the current Senate Report were also addressed by the bipartisan Public Works Committee in its unanimous report, tabled in both Houses of Parliament on 25 August 1999, which recommended the construction of the replacement research reactor.
Public scrutiny of the project has spanned successive Federal Governments since 1991, and has occupied some 80 months of inquiries. A list of these inquiries is attached. Dr Adam Jostsons, Acting Executive Director of ANSTO, stated that the replacement research reactor has probably been subject to the most thorough and detailed analysis of any public undertaking in Australia’s history.
"We are encouraged by the findings of the report of the Government Senators ‘that the tendering and contract processes were beyond reproach and that proper provision has been made for public health, safety and waste management’.
"For its part, ANSTO is committed to delivering a high quality project on time," Dr Jostsons said
Published: 23/05/2001