Nuclear Waste

The Hon. M.C. PARNELL (15:44): I want to talk today about an issue that is of deep concern to many South Australians, namely, the possible future fate of our state as the nation's nuclear waste dump. Having failed to forcibly impose a radioactive waste dump on South Australia 10 years ago, and the Northern Territory last year, the federal government is now looking for volunteers. In March this year the government opened a process for landholders to nominate land for a facility to store Australia's intermediate-level radioactive waste and dispose of low-level radioactive waste: 28 nominations were received from around Australia.

On Friday it was announced that these had been shortlisted to six sites for further evaluation and public consultation. Three of these six sites are in South Australia: Cortlinye, Pinkawillinie (near Kimba on the Eyre Peninsula), and Barndioota near Hawker. Consultation will now take place with local stakeholders until mid-March next year, after which time the shortlist will be narrowed to two or three sites, with a final site being identified before the end of 2016.

Under state and territory law it is illegal for intermediate-level waste to be stored in South Australia, as well as in Western Australia, Victoria, Queensland and the Northern Territory. However, under the National Radioactive Waste Management Act the federal resources minister may be able to override any state or territory legislation; however, that is sure to be tested in the courts. The proposed nuclear dump will dispose of low-level radioactive waste (probably by burying it) and will store intermediate-level radioactive waste (probably above-ground and probably for several decades) until the elusive target of a safe, permanent means of disposal is invented.

Each year, Australia produces about 45 cubic metres of radioactive waste arising from various sources such as the Lucas Heights nuclear facility. In addition, about 25 tonnes of intermediate-level waste from reprocessed ANSTO research reactor fuel in France are due to arrive back in Australia before the end of the year and more from the UK between 2018 and 2020.

So where do we put it? One answer is to return it to where it came from. Most of the intermediate-level radioactive waste originates at Lucas Heights and this is where it has been stored for years. According to both ANSTO and the Australian Nuclear Association, there is ample capacity to continue to store the waste at Lucas Heights into the foreseeable future.

Whilst much of the discussion is around low-level medical waste, which is described benignly as lightly contaminated protective clothing, paper and glassware, the bigger problem is the long-lived intermediate-level waste, which requires shielding for safe handling and transport, and long-term management over hundreds or thousands of years.

So far globally there is only one deep permanent underground repository for long-lived intermediate-level nuclear waste, the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant in the US state of New Mexico. In February last year a chemical reaction ruptured one of the barrels stored underground at the facility. This was followed by a failure of the filtration system which was meant to ensure that radiation did not reach the outside environment. Twenty-two workers were exposed to radiation. The total cost to fix up the problem will exceed $500 million and the facility will be shut for at least four years.

So what went wrong? The answer would be funny if not for the serious consequences. After a number of inquiries, it seems that a typographical error in the instruction manual was to blame. In a critical part of the document the word 'organic' was used instead of 'inorganic' in describing the type of the absorbent that should be used inside the drums of waste to soak up any excess moisture. As a result, the wrong type of kitty litter was used as an absorbent inside the drum, causing a chemical reaction, and the drum burst and released radioactive uranium and plutonium throughout the underground facility.

So, South Australians should be worried about what is potentially coming our way. We know that radioactive waste is dangerous to humans, animals and plants. It can cause cancer and exacerbate other medical conditions. It needs to be handled with extreme care—and if something goes wrong you are on your own. If you doubt me, have a look at your home insurance policy. Any damage or loss to you or your property caused by radiation, whether through explosion or other accidents, will not be covered.

The US kitty litter case might sound like something that could never happen here, but South Australian authorities already have a patchy record in ensuring that nuclear safety measures are upheld. In 2013 I lodged a Freedom of Information application which revealed that the radiation plans for Olympic Dam were more than 15 years out of date. Between 2003 and 2012, BHP Billiton reported 31 radiation leaks at the mine, yet the Environment Protection Authority could only find radiation plans from 1997 and 1998, and they stated:

We acknowledge that an update is overdue and action is being taken to address this situation.

The EPA searched its records for 10 months before responding that there was no up-to-date plan and it needed a new one. It is no wonder that people are sceptical about the ability of governments to adequately manage toxic intermediate radioactive waste that stays dangerous for hundreds or thousands of years.

The Greens will be working with local communities to ensure that an unnecessary and dangerous nuclear waste dump is not foisted on them and that they have every democratic right to voice their concerns and have those concerns heard at the highest level.