NSW: New reactor questioned at forum

AAP General News (Australia)
12-17-2001
NSW: New reactor questioned at forum

By Wade O'Leary

SYDNEY, Dec 17 AAP - The security, safety and design of Australia's only nuclear facility
was seriously questioned at an industry forum in Sydney today.

A group of Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) scientists
faced a grilling from US physicist Robert Budnitz after presenting their case for the
proposed new reactor at Lucas Heights.

The presentation contained the assertion "no credible external event has the potential
to affect the safety of the reactor facility", which drew a derisive response from some
members of the audience.

Mr Budnitz described ANSTO's idea of a most-likely airborne threat - a Cessna 500 -
as "old fashioned" in the wake of September 11.

"You want to do (the assessment) right - it's probably two weeks' work for one person," he said.

"You'll have a much better picture ... if those issues (bigger aircraft) are a big
concern for you."

A member of the ANSTO party replied: "These aircraft are not a big concern for us."

ANSTO also defended safety arrangements at the site, saying the plant would shut down
safely even in the event of a once in ten thousand years earthquake.

An ANSTO spokeswoman also said the organisation undertook a major security review after
September 11.

The questioning followed a presentation from the former head nuclear engineer at Lucas
Heights, Tony Woods, which criticised emergency planning both within the reactor complex
and in the region.

Mr Woods, who retired in 1991 after 30 years' service at Lucas Heights, said the "safety
culture" at the facility had to be greatly improved.

He said the current ANSTO safety plan only considered plant employees while Sutherland
Shire Council's emergency plan anticipated earthquakes but not a nuclear accident.

"If you look at the plan regarding the public, there's no mention of the reactor. It's
like it isn't there," he said.

Mr Woods urged planning for a worst-case scenario of complete core meltdown plus major
containment failure, including evacuation procedures and prior distribution of medicines.

Greenpeace spokesman Stephen Campbell made a brief presentation at the forum before
the lunch break and said assurances about the quality of security at Lucas Heights was
"balderdash".

Greenpeace today held a protest action at the site, which highlighted security problems.

"Security was scratching their heads, they had no idea what was going on," he said
in reference to the environmental group's storming of the facility.

AAP wo/arb/apm/de

KEYWORD: REACTOR FORUM NIGHTLEAD

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