On 29 November 2013, the CEO of ARPANSA decided to issue licences to the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) to prepare a site for, and construct a controlled facility (the ANSTO Interim Waste Store) at the ANSTO Lucas Heights Science and Technology Centre.
On 8 May 2015, the CEO of ARPANSA decided issue a licence to the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) to operate a controlled facility (the ANSTO Interim Waste Facility) at the ANSTO Lucas Heights Science and Technology Centre.
The CEO's decisions regarding the siting, construction and operating licences, can be downloaded here:
29 November 2013
8 May 2015
In making these decisions, the CEO took into consideration the documentation submitted by ANSTO in support of the applications as well as:
- the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Act 1998 (the Act) and Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Regulations 1999
- the Regulatory Assessment Reports:
- Regulatory Assessment Report – Siting (November 2013):
- Regulatory Assessment Report – Construction (November 2013):
- Regulatory Assessment Report – Operating (May 2015):
- Regulatory Assessment Report – Siting (November 2013):
- regulatory guidance developed for applicants and ARPANSA assessors:
- ARPANSA Regulatory Guide: Applying for a facility licence for a Nuclear Installation
- ARPANSA Regulatory Guide: Licensing of Radioactive Waste Storage and Disposal Facilities, ARPANSA, Version 2, OS-LA-SUP-240L, March 2013
- ARPANSA Regulatory Guide: Plans and Arrangements for Managing Safety, ARPANSA, Version 4, OS-LA-SUP-240B, January 2013
- ARPANSA Regulatory Assessment Principles for Controlled Facilities, ARPANSA, Revision 1, RB-STD-42-00, October 2001
- international best practice in radiation protection and nuclear safety as it relates to the applications
- the decision of the Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Populations and Communities on the proposed facility under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999
- the Radiation Protection Series suite of documents, developed to support and promote national uniformity in radiation protection and nuclear safety across Australian jurisdictions
- consultations on the application held with the ARPANSA Nuclear Safety Committee
- public submissions received during the public consultation period including issues raised during the community information session held at the Engadine Community Centre, Sutherland Shire, on 16 May 2013.
The licences are subject to conditions as specified in section 35 of the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Act 1998.
The CEO of ARPANSA has imposed standard licence conditions, including one requiring quarterly reporting under section 35 (1) (c). A special condition was imposed that requires the licence holder to submit plans by 2020 for the removal of the waste from the IWS.
The licence remains in force until it is cancelled or suspended under section 38 of the Act or until it is surrendered under section 39 of the Act.
Looking for more information?
If you’d like to know more about the applications or the process for review see the ANSTO interim waste store application information.
If you’d like to know more about the public consultation process that’s been undertaken or view the transcript from the community information session, see the Regulatory Services Public consultation page.
