National Radioactive Waste Management (Intention to Approve Nominated Sites) Notice 2017

Overview

The National Radioactive Waste Management (Intention to Approve Nominated Sites) Notice 2017 was issued under the National Radioactive Waste Management Act 2012 by Matthew Canavan, the Minister for Resources and Northern Australia. The Act was enacted to establish a comprehensive national framework for the management of radioactive waste. The Notice was introduced to address the need for transparent and inclusive processes in the selection and approval of sites for a national radioactive waste management facility. The policy objective of the Act is to ensure that radioactive waste is managed in a safe, environmentally sound and responsible manner, while also seeking to involve and consult with local communities and other stakeholders. The Notice outlines the Minister's intention to approve two land nominations for further assessment as potential sites for the facility, inviting comments from relevant parties before making a final decision.

Scope and Application

The National Radioactive Waste Management (Intention to Approve Nominated Sites) Notice 2017, made under section 10(4) of the National Radioactive Waste Management Act 2012, pertains to the Minister for Resources and Northern Australia's intention to approve two land nominations for potential sites for a national radioactive waste management facility. This notice applies to the nominated land sites in Lyndhurst and Napandee, South Australia, inviting comments from persons with rights or interests in the nominated land, local communities, and other interested parties. The Minister proposes to approve these sites subject to detailed assessments to determine their suitability for the national facility, in accordance with the selection process outlined in the Act. The notice extends an invitation for feedback on the proposed approvals, which must be submitted before 5.00pm AEST on 21 June 2017, either by email or postal lodgement. Further information about the project can be obtained through the provided website, hotline, or email address.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of the National Radioactive Waste Management (Intention to Approve Nominated Sites) Notice 2017 (section 3) require the Minister to give notice that he has received voluntary nominations for a potential site for a national radioactive waste management facility and propose to approve two land nominations for such a facility under section 9 of the Act. The notice specifies the locations of the proposed sites in South Australia and invites public comment on the proposed approvals (section 5). The nominated land will undergo detailed assessments to determine its suitability for the national facility, and a site will be selected in accordance with the process set out in the Act (section 4). The Act imposes certain obligations and requirements on the Minister and the parties involved in the nomination and approval process. The Minister is required to give notice of the proposed approvals and invite comments from persons with a right or interest in the nominated land, local communities, and other interested parties (section 5). The Minister must receive comments before a specified deadline, which in this case is 5.00pm AEST on 21 June 2017 (section 5(2)). The nominated land will be subject to detailed assessments to determine its suitability for the national facility, and a site will be selected in accordance with the process set out in the Act (section 4). There are no explicit offences, penalties, or civil/criminal consequences mentioned for breach of the provisions in the Notice. However, the Act provides for various offences and penalties related to the management of radioactive waste, including offences related to the unlawful storage, disposal, or transport of radioactive waste, and penalties for breaches of the Act. The maximum penalties for offences under the Act depend on the nature and severity of the offence and can include fines of up to $1.8 million for individuals and $9 million for bodies corporate, as well as imprisonment for up to 10 years for serious offences. The Act also provides for civil remedies, including injunctions and damages, for breaches of certain provisions.