Conclusions and Recommendations
The Committee finds that the issues raised by the 1993 Research Reactor
Review have not been satisfactorily addressed. The Government's decision
was announced without any real attempt to address the issues raised in
the Research Reactor Review. Further it ignored the properly considered
findings of the Review and instead, relied largely on the vested interests
of ANSTO and those involved in, and dependent on, the nuclear industry.
The Committee believes that a full public inquiry, as provided for in
the EPIP Act (and which was the basis of the Research Reactor Review),
should have been conducted prior to any final decision to build a new
reactor. Such an inquiry could have finalised the work undertaken by the
Research Reactor Review and would have given greater credibility to the
eventual outcome.
Whilst the Committee notes that the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)
has approved the decision to construct the new reactor at Lucas Heights,
the Committee proposes that a public inquiry, similar to the Research
Reactor Review, be conducted into the Government's decision.
The Committee believes that the finding of the Research Reactor Review
that 'a solution to this problem is essential and necessary well prior
to any future decision about a new reactor' is still a relevant pre-condition.
Accordingly, the Committee recommends (1) that this issue be further considered
by the proposed public inquiry and (2) that no new reactor be constructed
until a permanent site for disposal of the Lucas Heights nuclear waste
is determined.
The Committee supports the approach adopted in the Research Reactor Review
that the issues of alternative technologies need to be thoroughly investigated
by an independent panel prior to any final decision.
If Australia is to have a new reactor then alternative sites to Lucas
Heights must be properly considered. Such analysis should include the
potential economic benefit of locating the reactor in a less populated
regional area. This analysis should be undertaken by the proposed Public
Inquiry.
The Committee recommends that a detailed survey of community attitudes
be undertaken to more accurately reflect the views of the residents of
the Lucas Heights area. Further that, in accordance with the recommendations
of the Research Reactor Review, the views of local communities be taken
into account when determining the location of any future reactor.
The Committee also recommends that the Community Right to Know Charter
Relating to ANSTO be finalised as soon as possible in an effort to improve
relations between ANSTO, the Sutherland Shire Council and local community
groups.