Australia Shortlists Six Sites For National Radwaste Facility

13 Nov (NucNet): The government of Australia said today it has shortlisted six sites for further evaluation and public consultation for a permanent national radioactive waste management facility. The sites have been shortlisted at locations near Sally’s Flat, New South Wales; Hale, Northern Territory; Cortlinye, South Australia; Pinkawillinie, South Australia; Barndioota, South Australia; Oman Ama, Queensland. Earlier this year landholders in all states and territories were invited to voluntarily nominate land for this facility to be built to dispose of Australia’s low-level waste, with the capacity to store some intermediate-level waste. The government said it received 28 nominations. Australia has the equivalent of around two Olympic-sized swimming pools of such waste, which includes laboratory items such as paper, plastic and glassware, and material used in medical treatments, the government said. More than 100 sites across the country, including hospitals and universities, are licensed to store this waste on an interim basis. Details online: http://bit.ly/1MG5eKt