The Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) has enhanced the consultation process for the licencing of ANSTO's existing nuclear installations.
Head of ARPANSA's Regulatory Branch, Mr Don Macnab, said the change was all about giving people more opportunity to provide informed input into the licencing process.
"This is an important issue and ARPANSA is keen to ensure people have as much information as possible on which to base their submissions," Mr Macnab said.
"After receiving the licence application from ANSTO last year, ARPANSA invited public submissions."
"Since then, ARPANSA has decided that it required more detailed information from ANSTO before making a judgement on the application."
"With that in mind, we held discussions with ARPANSA's Nuclear Safety Committee, which includes community representatives, on how to enhance the consultation process."
"The result of those discussions is a new timetable, which will allow interested people to consider the additional information provided to ARPANSA since ANSTO's initial application, and stagger submissions for the various installations."
"Separate closing dates have now been set for these submissions, so people can make informed and considered responses relating to each of the installations," Mr Macnab said.
The new timetable for obtaining the latest information relating to the licence application and for the close of submissions is:
| Plans/area of operation | Information available | Public submissions close |
| General Plans and Arrangements | now | 14 July 2000 |
| HIFAR Research Reactor | now | 14 August 2000 |
| Moata Research Reactor | 3 July 2000 | 25 August 2000 |
| Radiopharmaceutical Operations | 17 July 2000 | 15 September 2000 |
| Fuel Operations | 31 July 2000 | 29 September 2000 |
| Waste Operations | 28 August 2000 | 27 October 2000 |
Copies of the licence application and also the additional information provided by ANSTO will be available for public reading during business hours at the ARPANSA offices in Miranda and Melbourne and Sutherland Shire Council Libraries.
Mr Macnab said that as the regulator, the CEO of ARPANSA was required to take public submissions into consideration in making a decision about licencing ANSTO's existing facilities.
"I encourage interested people to make submissions on the operation of the various installations," Mr Macnab said.
Further details on preparing submissions are available from ARPANSA on (03) 9433 2211.
ENDS