Tuesday, 30 January, 2007

by Natalie Wasley
Arid Lands Environment Centre

As Science Minister Julie Bishop today begins the shutdown of the HIFAR nuclear reactor at Lucas Heights near Sydney, the contentious and unresolved issue of radioactive waste management is on the minds of Territorians.

Natalie Wasley, from the Arid Lands Environment Centre in Alice Springs, is at Lucas Heights to mark the occasion of the HIFAR shut down and to remind the Government that NT residents oppose the plan for the decommissioned parts to be dumped in the Territory.

"The Commonwealth is forging ahead with its plan to open a radioactive dump in the NT despite strong opposition from the targeted communities and pastoralists, traditional owners, the NT Government, and Territory and national environment groups. Responsible management of the radioactive concrete and steel components of the structure would involve leaving them where they are currently located. It is unnecessary to transport these materials thousands of kilometres through numerous communities to be dumped in the desert" Ms Wasley stated.

"The reactor has been operating for 50 years but its radioactive legacy will remain for far longer. We welcome the closure of HIFAR, and encourage the same to happen to the replacement OPAL reactor. The Government should seriously consider community concerns about increasing involvement in the nuclear industry when the issue of waste continues to be unresolved"