1. National Radioactive Waste Management Project
Resources Division
December 2015

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

3. Eligible nominations received

4. 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

5. Types of Low Level Waste
Solid – Dry – Non-Organic – Non-Corrosive

6. Low Level Legacy waste inventory
Legacy: 4250 m3 of LLW Annual production: 40 m3 of LLW per year
Over 100 sites across Australia currently hold radioactive materials including waste on an interim basis. Many facilities are near capacity or not designed for long term storage. A centralised, purpose-built facility will ensure the safe, secure and efficient long-term management.
As of 2014, Australia has accumulated approximately 4250 m3 of low level radioactive waste from over 40 years of research, medical and industrial uses of radioactive materials.

7. Intermediate level waste
~ 656 m3 of intermediate level radioactive waste
~ 5 m3 generated annually
Containers built to withstand largest possible impact (e.g. jet aircraft impact)

8. Return of Waste

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

10. Options for the national facility
Detailed business case and design options to be developed in 2016
Will meet site specific requirements for the safe disposal of low level waste.
To be done in partnership with local communities.
Options for safe storage of intermediate level waste
Co-located engineered storage facility (preferred)
Waste remains at Lucas Heights in Southern Sydney
The Initial Business Case (IBC) was considered in early The IBC assesses the case for action and the range of options available for the safe and secure long-term management of Australia’s radioactive waste.
It found that current arrangements are inefficient, expensive and pose avoidable risks to the ongoing operation of Australia’s nuclear science and medicine sector.
Based on the recommendations of the IBC the Government has decided that a detailed business case which assessed three design options will be developed for each shortlisted site in 2016.
The three design options are:
Engineered, above ground management facility for low-level radioactive waste disposal and intermediate-level radioactive waste storage
Engineered above ground management facility for low-level radioactive waste disposal, with intermediate-level radioactive waste management to continue under current arrangements
Near surface engineered trench for low-level radioactive waste disposal, with intermediate-level radioactive waste management to continue under current arrangements.
The Government’s current preferred design option is an engineered, above ground management facility for low-level radioactive waste disposal and intermediate-level radioactive waste storage

11. LLW Repository West Cumbrian coastline, North West of England – Lake District

12. ANDRA CSA – France Champagne Region

13. ANDRA CSA – Low Level Waste Disposal

14. ANDRA CSA – Low Level Waste Disposal
Concrete grouting of drums

15. El Cabril Facility - Spain

16. ENRESA Concept Design
Concept design identifies 40 hectares for buildings and infrastructure to accommodate Australia’s current and future waste inventory

17. Low Level Waste Packaging
El Cabril: Low Level Waste Disposal Operations

18. Other LLW Conditioning Options

19. Next Steps: design and operation
Following acceptance of shortlisted nominations we will establish a Regional Consultation Committee drawn from the local community
Through this group and broader consultation processes we work with the local community on:
Design options
Risk and safety case development
Environmental monitoring and safeguards
Employment and business opportunities
Develop a public communication and education strategy to inform groups such as buyers and financing communities.
Develop proposals for community benefits

20. Employment
Until design options are finalised it is not possible to be specific on the number of jobs.
Initial concept design indicated that around jobs could be created once it is operational.
Most of these are activities where locals can be trained
Eg administration, security, packaging and storage/disposal
Also can include activities environmental monitoring, building maintenance
We will work with the community in the design phase to maximise local employment and business outcomes for construction and maintenance

21. Community benefits
Employment and business opportunities 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
Also consider further options to address localised impacts
options could include developing a buffering/lease back strategy for neighbouring blocks
Environmental stewardship payment (eg land care) to boost farm productivity
Pest-wild dog and pig programs

22. 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 cannot be used to store or dispose of high level waste
Transport of material also safe and subject to strict regulation
Low level waste:1-2 movements per year (40m3)
Intermediate level waste: (5m3):
Reprocessed: 2 to 3 Canister over life of OPAL Reactor
Other: 1 to 2 movements per year

23. Yes! Will the site be safe ?
Final site selection subject to the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act and the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety (ARPANS) Act.
Australia’s national independent nuclear regulator will apply stringent safeguards throughout
Design and operation must be to world best practice as established under the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
This requires all materials to be immobilized and fully isolated from environment with layers of impermeable barriers
Site design will take into account all possible risks and monitoring data will be made available to the community
There will be no radiation risk coming off the site to the public or environment

24. 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

25. Website: radioactivewaste.gov.au
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
Community views assessed through submissions, interview and survey
Please consider the information provided and give us your views
Contact on (02)
Website: radioactivewaste.gov.au

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