By Jim Green
SYDNEY — The environmental impact statement (EIS) for the proposed new nuclear reactor in the southern Sydney suburb of Lucas Heights was released on August 17.
The EIS was prepared by the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO), so it is no surprise that the EIS uncritically supports the reactor plan.
After a 12-week "viewing" period, there will be another round of paper shuffling between ANSTO, ANSTO's sub-contractors and federal government departments. The environment minister will then "recommend" to the science minister that the project proceed.
Even if the environment minister recommends otherwise, the science minister is under no obligation to accept that recommendation.
Several million dollars have been wasted on this expensive farce, with no funding for opponents. In another slap in the face to residents of Sutherland Shire, the full EIS is being sold for $50 (an overview is available for free by ringing 1800 243 220).
The People Against a Nuclear Reactor (PANR) campaign group decided to boycott the sham EIS process. They will focus on building the political campaign against the reactor.
PANR convener Genevieve Rankin recently quit the ALP after being a member for 21 years. The final straw for Rankin was a letter from federal ALP deputy leader Gareth Evans to ANSTO, in which he said the ALP's opposition to the reactor plan is based on "the realities of politics in an election year, and in particular our need to win [the federal seat of] Hughes", rather than "objective safety-focused concerns".
"Evans has made the false and ignorant assertion that there are no safety problems with the current site — after ANSTO has just failed four out of the seven criteria in their most recent international risk assessment, the worst failure being the lack of adequate procedures for a meltdown", Rankin said.
"The state Labor government has refused to act on its constitutional responsibilities to the citizens of NSW in the areas of emergency planning, heath and safety, and urban planning at Lucas Heights", she added.
PANR is holding a public debate at Heathcote Primary School on September 8, 7.30 pm. Phone (02) 9545 3077 for more information.
For a detailed critique of the EIS, phone Jim Green on (02) 9211 0805.