12 February 2016
JOINT MEDIA STATEMENT
Determining a suitable site for Australia’s low and intermediate level radioactive waste is an issue of national significance to which the Government and the Opposition remain committed.
Securing this purpose-built , national facility to store Australia’s waste has been an initiative that governments of both parties have been working to address for nearly 30 years.
Currently, Australia’s waste is stored at over 100 locations across Australia, including hospitals and universities. We need a long term management plan for the storage of this waste, which is mostly a by-product of lifesaving nuclear medicine and research for which Australians benefit greatly. Each week the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation delivers 10,000 patient doses of potentially lifesaving nuclear medicines to over 250 hospitals and medical practices across Australia and overseas.
Six sites have been shortlisted to host the facility from 28 sites that were voluntarily nominated by landholders. Each site was assessed on a range of criteria and were deemed appropriate to host the facility. We are now seeking views and feedback from local communities.
It is important that we continue the work that has already been undertaken and it is crucial that local communities and interested stakeholders are well-informed. That’s why a comprehensive 120 day consultation period is currently underway, led by senior officials, after which two to three sites will be shortlisted for further assessment and a continuing discussion with communities.
The Government and the Opposition remain committed to ensuring all stakeholders are fully informed throughout this process.
Ends
Julianna Burgess | Assistant Media Adviser
Office of the Hon Josh Frydenberg MP
Minister for Resources, Energy and Northern Australia | Federal Member for Kooyong
a Suite M1:17 Parliament House, Canberra ACT 2600 | p +61 2 6277 7180
m 0455 050 044 | e [email protected]