The Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) has been given formal control over the Little Forest radioactive waste dump at Lucas Heights which contains low-level waste buried in the 1960s.
Known as the Little Forest Legacy Site, it is currently managed by ANSTO in consultation with the independent regulator, the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA.)
ANSTO lodged an application with the safety agency earlier this year for a licence to formally ‘‘possess or control’’ the site which is used by scientists as an outdoor laboratory to research nuclear security and materials storage.
The site is already secured and monitored with routine air, soil and groundwater testing.
Results are publicly available to confirm the site is being safely managed.
The licence will allow ANSTO it to formalise these management systems for the site in line with international best practice.
The safety agency held a public submission process in relation to the licensing application before making its decision.
An ANSTO spokesman said the approval by the independent regulator reflects the strength of ANSTO’s plans to manage the site appropriately using best practice.
In his decision to grant the licence, the safety agency’s chief executive officer Carl-Magnus Larsson said: “The ARPANSA reviewers concluded that sufficient information is provided and that the information provides evidence that the current state of Little Forest Legacy Site, and its planned management, afford a high level of protection of the health of people and the environment. I agree with these conclusions.”
Are you happy with the approval of the licence for ANSTO to formally manage the Little Forest Legacy Site?
