Wednesday, 13 December, 2006

by Natalie Wasley
ALEC, ECNT, ACF

Following the derailment of the Ghan train near the Adelaide River yesterday, Territory and national environment groups expressed concern about transport of radioactive materials along this route amidst the push for increased nuclear activity in the Territory.

Yellowcake (uranium ore) from Olympic Dam uranium mine in South Australia travels regularly along the Ghan rail line for export through Darwin port and the track is also a potential route for radioactive waste transport if a Commonwealth nuclear dump is established in the NT.

Natalie Wasley from the Arid Lands Environment Centre said there are inherent risks with frequently transporting radioactive materials across long distances.

"Though this rail line has only been open a relatively short time, this is not the first incident, which provides little reassurance that one of the many freight trains carrying radioactive materials will never have an accident like we saw yesterday," Ms Wasley added.

"It is of great concern that people were injured when the train crashed and derailed yesterday afternoon. This accident shows that despite best planning and care for cargo - human or otherwise- accidents can happen. Given the current push for increased nuclear activity in the Territory, we should consider the profound implications of such an accident if radioactive materials were involved" stated Emma King from the Environment Centre of the NT.

"This incident should serve as a warning about the dangers of increased yellowcake transports if Olympic Dam mine in South Australia is expanded, a clear alarm bell to the Federal Government to back off plans to transport and dump Commonwealth waste in the NT, and a wake up to the CLP, who are canvassing for a uranium enrichment facility to be developed in the NT," concluded Dave Sweeney from the Australian Conservation Foundation.