Tellus is a strong supporter of AUKUS, the trilateral security partnership between Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. But, with respect, we have reservations about the Defence Department’s decision to store low-level radioactive waste generated by nuclear-powered submarines at a new temporary facility at HMAS Stirling naval base, south of Perth.
As we explained in a submission to the Australian Radiation Protection And Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA), international best-practice calls for the permanent and safe disposal of low-level radioactive waste at a licensed disposal facility.
All of the LLW planned for storage at HMAS Stirling, in the suburbs south of Perth, could be permanently disposed, immediately, at our remote, licensed disposal facility at Sandy Ridge, in the WA Goldfields.
Now there are other voices raising serious concerns with the Australian Submarine Agency’s HMAS Stirling proposal.
“Defence nuclear waste site slammed”
“Former defence minister Linda Reynolds has also questioned why waste won’t be stored at an existing facility deep in the WA desert”
Read more in today’s The Australian