PRESS RELEASE FROM LES JOHNSON, M.P. FOR HUGHES, OPPOSITION WHIP. 2 Boyle Street, Sutherland, 2232. Phone: 521 6262. 7th Aug, 1979.

STUDY TO INCLUDE SITING CONSIDERATIONS

The Minister for National Development (Mr Kevin Newman)

has told Mr Les Johnson,  M.P.  for Hughes, that the

Atomic Energy Commission has been authorised to conduct

a design-cost study for a new isotope production and

research reactor to replace the HIFAR reactor at

Lucas Heights,,

The study would include siting considerations,  Mr Newman

said.

Any proposals for construction of a replacement for .

HIFAR arising from the Commission's design-cost study would,

of course, be subject to the Environment Protection (Impact

of Proposals)  Act, he said.

He continued: "The preparation of an environmental impact

statement in relation to any such proposal would, no doubt,

involve examination of the implications of proposed sites

for local communities and the public at large." .

Mr Newman said there would be no purpose in setting up

a Parliamentary Committee of Inquiry which would need to .

to await the outcome of the design-cost study which might

point to sites other than Lucas Heights.

Mr Johnson had asked the Minister to consider a proposal

from the Hughes Federal Electorate Council of the A.L.P.

that a parliamentary inquiry should be set up into the

suitability of Lucas Heights as the location of the

research establishment.

The council said it was important to establish the .

extent and manner by which the local community,  public

at large, the Commission and its employees were advantaged

or disadvantaged by the use of the Lucas Heights site.

2

Mr Johnson reminded the Minister that originally the

choice of Lucas Heights for the establishment was made

because it was remote and isolated from other development

and that the site no longer had that virtue.

Other factors which the Hughes A.L.Pi Council had discussed

were public disquiet about storage of radio-active waste,

discharge of gaseous waste into the atmosphere and liquid

waste into Woronora River, prospects of an additional

reactor being commissioned and conjecture that the

establishment might be used for other forms of energy

research which might present new hazards to the community.

end.

