Another nuclear reactor for Sydney
The Australian Government has opened the way for construction to begin on a new nuclear reactor at Lucas Heights, in southern Sydney, despite strong opposition from environmental groups and local residents.
The proposal for a new reactor, announced by the Federal Government in 1997, is scheduled to be operational in 2005. The up to 20 megawatt reactor will replace the existing 10-megawatt HIFAR (High Flux Australian Reactor) that was commissioned in 1958.
According to ANSTO (Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation) a modern swimming pool type reactor would produce a higher neutron flux than the current reactor enabling Australia to meet the growing demand for medical radiopharmaceuticals and conduct research into new materials such as plastics, polymers, lightweight substances and those important to nano-technology.
For environmental groups the increase in nuclear waste from the reactor is a problem without a solution. Jean McSorley, from Greenpeace Australia says, "the new reactor will create four times the current amount of nuclear waste and five times the amount of spent fuel". The waste will be shipped to France for re-processing and returned to Australia for use and for storage. A law passed early this year prohibits reprocessing such waste in Australia.
Apart from the risks associated with accidents and leakage of radioactive material, local residents are also concerned about the transport of nuclear wastes through their local area.
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.