10 December 2024
The Australian Government’s nuclear regulator, the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) Chief Executive Officer, has approved the first stage of decommissioning of Australia’s original nuclear research reactor.
The High Flux Australian Reactor (HIFAR) was a 10 Megawatt research reactor that commenced operation in 1958. It was permanently shutdown on 30 January 2007 and the spent fuel and heavy water was removed. The CEO of ARPANSA issued a license to ANSTO to possess and control HIFAR in September 2008.
In 2023, the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) submitted a licence application to commence early stages of decommissioning of HIFAR. Following thorough review, public consultation and assessment, ARPANSA has determined that ANSTO has demonstrated it can safely commence limited decommissioning.
‘The CEO has issued a license for the commencement of initial decommissioning work at HIFAR,’ said Mr Jim Scott, Chief Regulatory Officer at ARPANSA.
‘As the independent regulator of Commonwealth entities that use or produce radiation, we have assessed ANSTO’s license application and found that the proposed decommissioning activities can be conducted without harming workers, the Australian people or the environment.’
The license application is for limited decommissioning only, allowing ANSTO to use and retain the knowledge of the personnel who were involved in pre-decommissioning works and planning at the facility.
The reactor core will be decommissioned later and will require separate approval from ARPANSA’s CEO.
It is expected that initial limited decommissioning work will commence in 2026.
