Opposition to new reactor

Opposition to new reactor

Greenpeace, the Greens (WA) and the Sutherland Shire Council last week announced their united opposition to a new nuclear reactor anywhere in Australia.

The move follows recent suggestions that a new reactor, which would routinely discharge radioactive gas and water, might be built in a remote part of Australia. The Kalgoorlie region of Western Australia has been suggested as a possible site.

Christabel Chamarette, Senator for the Greens (WA), said, "The idea of siting a nuclear reactor at Kalgoorlie is unjustifiable in any terms. Its remoteness, higher costs, lack of infrastructure or related facilities and the costs of hazards of transportation make it totally economically unviable."

The NSW government has supported the idea of a new reactor, but has suggested it should be located away from the present Australian Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) site at Lucas Heights.

Jean McSorley of Greenpeace said, "A new nuclear reactor is not needed for medical isotope production. Newer, more powerful cyclotrons are currently being developed which could produce the isotopes instead. The review process is so biased in favour of ANSTO that reasonable alternatives to a reactor are not being given a fair hearing."

From GLW issue 105