The Government’s approach to securing a site is consistent with leading practice for the management of low level and intermediate level radioactive waste. The Government’s approach requires:

The Australian Government is committed to ensuring Australia has an appropriate facility for the management of radioactive waste created within Australia.

Why We Are Consulting

The National Radioactive Waste Management Act 2012 (the Act) specifically introduced the nationwide volunteer process as a means of finding a site for a radioactive waste management facility. Prior to this only land in the Northern Territory could be considered.

The Minister for Industry proposes to make a declaration under section 6 of the Act to open a nationwide volunteer process for nominating land as a potential site for a facility.

A declaration under section 6 would end the volunteer process in section 5 of the Act, which is confined to Aboriginal Land Councils in the Northern Territory.

If a declaration under section 6 is in effect, a person or persons may, in accordance with section 7 of the Act, nominate land in a State, the Australian Capital Territory or the Northern Territory as a potential site for a radioactive waste management facility.

This notice is made in accordance with subsection 10(1)(b) of the National Radioactive Waste Management Act 2012.