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OPAL Reactor Operating Licence Request For Submissions

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Introduction

Regulation 41(3) of the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Regulations 1999 provides that if a facility licence application relates to a nuclear installation, the CEO of ARPANSA in addition to the requirements of Regulation 41(2) must invite people and bodies to make submissions about the application, and provide a period for making submissions, and provide procedures for making submissions.

PUBLIC CONSULTATION REPORT

The aim of the Public Consultation Report is to identify and summarise the issues raised in the two rounds of public submissions in order to assist the CEO of ARPANSA to reach a decision on the application by ANSTO for a licence to operate the OPAL research reactor. The full content of the public submissions has been taken into account by the CEO in reaching his decision.

Public Consultation Report - ANSTO's application for a facility licence to operate the OPAL research reactor (PDF 335kb)

Documentation relating to the public consultation process, including all public submissions received are provided below.

REQUEST FOR FIRST ROUND SUBMISSIONS

Submissions closed on 31 August 2005

On 13 September 2004, the CEO of ARPANSA received an application from the Australian Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) for a facility licence under the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Act 1998 (ARPANS Act) to authorise operation of the Replacement Research Reactor at Lucas Heights in Sydney. Submissions on the operating licence application were invited in a Statement inviting submissions release issued by the CEO on 1 December 2004. Initially, the closing date for submissions was 29 April 2005. The closing date was then extended to 31 August 2005.

FIRST ROUND SUBMISSIONS RECEIVED

843 submissions have been received by ARPANSA:

  • 13 submissions from organisations;
  • 9 personal original submissions from individuals;
  • 1 petition; and
  • 820 form letters (3 variations)
Copies of original submissions and form letters

Following are full copies of submissions received from organisations, private individuals and one petition. Also following is a sample of each form letter type, accompanied by a complete list of signatories.

Organisations

Supplementary submissions were received by participants at the Public Forum on 8-9 December 2005.

Personal
Petitions
Form Letters

SYNOPSIS OF FIRST ROUND SUBMISSIONS

A synopsis has been prepared to assist interested parties to gain an overview of matters raised in public submissions. The full content of the public submissions will be taken into account by the CEO of ARPANSA in reaching his decision.

Synopsis of Public Comment - Report to CEO (PDF 416kb)

ANSTO's Comments on Issues Raised in Public Submissions (PDF 840kb)

PUBLIC FORUM AND CALL FOR SECOND ROUND SUBMISSIONS

Submissions closed on 17 March 2006

The CEO of ARPANSA held a public forum on ANSTO's application for a licence to operate the replacement research reactor on 8-9 December 2005 at the Sydney Masonic Centre. Members of the public were invited to attend the forum and observe the proceedings.

Media Release advising of the Public Forum on the OPAL Reactor Operating Licence Application

The public forum allowed the applicant and relevant Government agencies as well as members of the public who have made major public submissions about the application to present their case in a public venue.

The forum was conducted by a panel of three people and chaired by Dr Loy. The other panel members were:

  • Dr Lars Hogberg, former Director General of the Swedish Nuclear Power Inspectorate; and
  • Professor Jim Falk, Director of the Australian Centre for Science, Innovation and Society, University of Melbourne.

The panel questioned each presenter after they made their presentation.

Dr Hogberg and Professor Falk will provide a short report to Dr Loy evaluating the material discussed at forum. Dr Loy will take the report into account when he makes his decision on the application.

Media Release advising Outcomes of the Public Forum on ANSTO Application to Operate OPAL Research Reactor and Seeking Final Public Submissions

The CEO of ARPANSA has invited further submissions to be made in light of the forum procedings. Supplementary submissions should be provided by 28 February 2006. Forum procedings include the transcript from the public forum, the panelists reports from Dr Lars Hogberg and Professor Jim Falk and presentations and supplementary submissions provided by forum participants.

Please note: Deadline for public consultation period now extended to 17 March 2006.

Media Release advising extension of public consultation deadline

Following are presentations and supplementary submissions provided by Forum participants:

Public forum transcripts
Presentations from forum participants
Panellists reports
Response to panellists reports

SECOND ROUND SUBMISSIONS RECEIVED

84 second round submissions have been received by ARPANSA:

Submissions from Organisations (9)
Personal Submissions (4)
Form Letters (71)

SYNOPSIS OF SECOND ROUND SUBMISSIONS

A synopsis has been prepared to assist interested parties to gain an overview of matters raised in the second round of public submissions. The full content of the public submissions will be taken into account by the CEO of ARPANSA in reaching his decision.

Synopsis of 2nd Round Public Comment - Report to CEO (PDF 104kb)

ANSTO's Responses to Matters Raised in the 2nd Round of Public Submissions (PDF 2,199kb)

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