In a surprising move, the City of Port Adelaide Enfield council has unanimously rejected plans to store and dispose of low-level nuclear waste from the upcoming fleet of Aukus submarines at the Osborne naval shipyard, located just 25km north of Adelaide’s CBD. The decision highlights growing concerns over the management of radioactive materials associated with Australia’s nuclear-powered submarine program and raises questions about community consultation and transparency.
Council Caught Off Guard by Nuclear Waste Plans
According to the council’s mayor, Claire Boan, the local government had not received any correspondence or communication about the management and disposal of nuclear waste at the Osborne site prior to the passing of the Australian naval nuclear power safety bill in October. This legislation designated both the Osborne shipyard and HMAS Stirling at Garden Island near Perth as “radioactive waste management facilities” for the Aukus submarines.
While the decision-making regarding this is out of the control of the council, we will continue to advocate for our community and lobby for community consultation throughout the process.
– Claire Boan, Mayor of Port Adelaide Enfield
The lack of consultation has drawn criticism from former independent senator Rex Patrick, who emphasized the need for transparency around the entire process associated with managing waste from naval reactors. The secrecy surrounding the site selection and consultation for dealing with high-level nuclear waste from the submarines has also raised eyebrows.
Low-Level Waste Deemed “Not Dangerous”
While the exact nature of the radioactive waste to be managed at Osborne remains unclear, Health Minister Mark Butler, who represents the Port Adelaide and Hindmarsh electorates, has stated that it would be low-level material. Nuclear scientist Nigel Marks from Curtin University echoed this sentiment, asserting that low-level nuclear waste is “radioactive, but not dangerous.”
Marks noted that consultation is not typically required for managing low-level radioactive materials at facilities such as hospitals or in industry. However, he acknowledged that the uncertainty surrounding the storage of intermediate and high-level nuclear waste from the Aukus submarines has likely contributed to the controversy.
Calls for Clarity on High-Level Waste Management
To address public concerns, Marks suggests that the government could proactively explain the site selection pathway and consultation process for dealing with the high-level nuclear waste generated by the Aukus submarines. By doing so, they could demonstrate a commitment to transparency and community engagement, drawing on successful precedents set by countries like Finland and Sweden in managing nuclear waste repositories.
That’d be smart politics, good science. It’ll take a little while to do that, but there’s definitely precedent in Finland or Sweden for how you should manage it.
– Nigel Marks, Associate Professor and Nuclear Scientist at Curtin University
The Road Ahead for Aukus Nuclear Waste
As Australia moves forward with its plans to acquire nuclear-powered submarines through the Aukus partnership, the issue of radioactive waste management will continue to be a key concern for local communities and stakeholders. The Adelaide council’s rejection of the storage and disposal plans at Osborne serves as a stark reminder of the need for open dialogue, transparency, and genuine community consultation throughout the process.
With the Australian Submarine Agency remaining tight-lipped about the specifics of the waste likely to be managed at the shipyard and the reasons behind the lack of consultation, it falls upon the government to take proactive steps in engaging with the public and addressing their concerns head-on. Only by fostering a culture of trust and collaboration can Australia hope to navigate the complex challenges associated with its foray into nuclear-powered submarines and the responsible management of the resulting radioactive waste.
As the Aukus submarine program unfolds, all eyes will be on how the government and relevant agencies handle the critical issue of nuclear waste disposal, ensuring that the safety and well-being of local communities remain at the forefront of decision-making processes. The Adelaide council’s stance serves as a poignant reminder that the path to nuclear power is fraught with challenges that extend far beyond the realm of technology and into the heart of community engagement and social responsibility.
