National Radioactive Waste Management Project Bruce Wilson – Head of Resources Division November 2015

Eligible nominations received

Certificate of TitleFolio 11/ CPBNT355 (Title Reference: ) Nomination: Oman Ama - Queensland

The need for a National Radioactive Waste Management Facility Needed to support continuation of Australia’s world-class and life-saving nuclear medicine and research activities Will address 60 years of legacy waste holdings currently stored in around 100 facilities around Australia Establishment of a single national facility is consistent with world’s best practice and Australia’s international obligations Required by the National Radioactive Waste Management Act 2012

ANSTO The Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) is Australia’s centre of nuclear expertise. OPAL Research Reactor Produces life-saving nuclear medicines, neutrons to assist Australian industries to solve complex problems, and around 30% of the world’s neutron transmutation doped (NTD) silicon Australian Synchrotron Produces intense beams of light a billion times brighter than the sun to reveal innermost structures of materials Information assists to find new ways to treat diseases, make crops more productive and metals more resilient Centre for Accelerator Science Will house ANSTO’s four particle accelerators Will provide world-leading national accelerator mass spectrometry and ion beam analysis. Image credit: ANSTO

Legacy waste inventory Low level waste Australia has approximately 4250 m 3 of low level radioactive waste Australia produces about 40 m 3 of low level waste each year Image credit: ANSTO

Intermediate level waste ~ 656 m 3 of intermediate level radioactive waste ~ 5 m 3 generated annually Containers built to withstand largest possible impact (e.g. 747 jet aircraft impact)

Process to identify a National Facility 1.Call for voluntary landholder nominations (1 st Qtr 2015) 2.Initial shortlist (6 sites) using technical assessment against key physical, environmental and social criteria day public consultation period 4.Selection of accepted nominations (2-3 sites) 5.Detailed site characterization and other testing + further and ongoing community consultation 6.Selection of preferred site (~ end of 2016) 7.Detailed site design, licensing and approvals (~ ) 8.Construction and operation (~ ) Where we currently are

Project schedule

Multi-Criteria Site Analysis (MCSA) Nominations subjected to a Multi-Criteria Site Analysis (MCSA) and evaluated against six objectives: 1.Community Well Being 2.Equity 3.Stable Environment & Environmental Protection 4.Human Health 5.Safety and Security 6.Economic Viability Accompanied by a risk assessment and advice from an Independent Advisory Panel

Options for the national facility Detailed business case and design options to be developed in Design options will meet site specific requirements for the safe disposal of low level waste. Options for safe storage of intermediate level waste –Co-located engineered storage facility (preferred) –Waste remains at Lucas Heights in Southern Sydney

Image credit: LLW Repository Ltd, UK LLW Repository West Cumbrian coastline, North West of England – Lake District

Image credit: El Cabril El Cabril Facility - Spain

ENRESA Concept Design Concept design identifies that approximately 40 hectares would be required for buildings and infrastructure to accommodate Australia’s current and future waste inventory

Site Operation Can only accept low and intermediate level radioactive solid waste generated by Australia No foreign generated waste will be accepted at the facility Facility design cannot be used to store high level waste Transport of material also safe and subject to strict regulation Low level waste -1-2 movements per year (40m 3 ) Intermediate level waste (5m 3 ): –Reprocessed -1 Canister every few years –Other movements per year

Will the site be safe ? Yes! Final site selection subject to the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act and the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Act. Australia’s national independent nuclear regulator will apply stringent safeguards throughout Design and operation must be to world best practice This requires all materials to be fixed and fully isolated from environment There will be no radiation risk coming off the site to the public or environment

Community benefits Employment and business opportunity in construction and operation Community benefit package of at least $10 million Nature of the package is flexible and to be determined by the community –Can be local/regional infrastructure that assists the long-term development, sustainability and viability of the community; –Can be drawn from items identified in Council or Regional Authority Economic Development Strategies/Plans;

Some issues raised so far We are confident that there will no be lasting impact on property values or regional reputation There will be no risk to water catchments or agricultural activities Lucas Heights and other storage facilities in Australia and around the world have been operating safely for decades

Finally…… There has been no decision to accept this nomination or on final siting Running an open transparent process based on technical assessment and genuine community consultation Please consider the information provided and give us your views Contact on (02) Website: radioactivewaste.gov.au

Department of Industry, Innovation and Science Industry House 10 Binara Street Canberra City, ACT 2601, Australia Telephone