House of Assembly - Fifty-First Parliament, Third Session (51-3)
2009-02-03 Daily Xml

Contents

RADIOACTIVE WASTE

177 Dr McFETRIDGE (Morphett) (21 October 2008).

1. What are the recommendations of the EPA audit of radioactive waste material stored in buildings and public hospitals throughout South Australia?

2. What strategies are the government undertaking to ensure the protection of people and the environment from the harmful effects of radiation associated with radioactive waste material?

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL (Cheltenham—Minister for Environment and Conservation, Minister for Early Childhood Development, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation, Minister Assisting the Premier in Cabinet Business and Public Sector Management): All of the recommendations may be found in the 'Audit of Radioactive Material 2003' report, released on 4 December 2003 at http://www.epa.sa.gov.au/pub_radiation.html#audit.

The EPA has determined that the radioactive waste stored in South Australia is safe and being stored in accordance with the Radiation Protection and Control Act (1982) (the act) and the Radiation Protection and Control (Ionising radiation) Regulations 2000 (the regulations). The strategies which the act and regulations provide, and which are currently used to ensure the protection of the people and the environment, are:

Licensing and registration of radiation users, radioactive sources and premises.

The requirement for all organisations which use unsealed radioactive material to submit a radioactive waste management plan to the EPA for assessment every year.

To regularly review the current radioactive waste holdings of the companies identified in the Audit.