ARPANSA - Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency

Date: 1 March 2006

ARPANSA Extends Consultation Period for OPAL Research Reactor Operating Licence Application

The Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) is currently assessing an application by the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation for a licence to operate the OPAL research reactor. As part of the assessment process, the CEO of ARPANSA, Dr John Loy, has undertaken a significant public consultation exercise including 2 rounds of public submissions and a public forum.

Consistent with an open and transparent approach, Dr Loy today announced an extension of the closing date for second round public submissions until 17 March 2006.

Dr Loy said "The extension will allow members of the public to comment on the report from the International Atomic Energy Agency's peer review of the operating procedures for the OPAL reactor" The report has been posted on ARPANSA's website - http://www.arpansa.gov.au/pubs/rrrp/op/peer_rpt2.pdf (PDF 90kb) .

Dr Loy said "Under the ARPANS Act, I am obliged to take into account international best practice in relation to radiation protection and nuclear safety when I make a decision on a licence application. This report addresses international best practice in terms of operating procedures including design, maintenance and operating manuals for the OPAL reactor."

"The report identifies several good points about the procedures included in the application but also points to areas where they could be improved."

"The report expresses confidence that, in finalising the procedural documents, the applicant [ANSTO] will have a comprehensive set of operating procedures for the OPAL reactor. The report identifies as international best practice the applicant's development of a simulator that can be used to train operators in a number of predefined deviations from normal operation of the reactor, in addition to standard operating procedures."

"In other aspects of the operating procedures, the report recommends improvements including adaptation of plant procedures addressing the approach to criticality to include tick-lists and log book entries, minimising repetition in plant procedures and the systems and subsystems operating manuals in order to avoid potential inconsistencies and incorporating references to operating limits and conditions in plant operation manual procedures."

"I invite members of the public to read the report on ARPANSA's website and make a submission by 17 March 2006. Submissions can be e-mailed to operatinglicenceapplication@arpansa.gov.au or posted to 619 Lower Plenty Road, Yallambie, Victoria 3085" said Dr Loy.

ENDS.

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