Conduct of the inquiry
Terms of reference
On 2 October 1997, the Senate referred to the Senate Economics References
Committee the matter of whether a new reactor should be built to replace
the High Flux Australian Reactor at Lucas Heights on that site or on some
other site in Australia. In its inquiry the Committee was directed to
make particular reference to:
(a) the suitability of building a new reactor in a densely populated
suburban area of Sydney and the impact on the environment of the Sutherland
Shire community of a new reactor on the Lucas Heights site;
(b) the availability of alternative technologies to generate neutrons
for medical, scientific, mining, industrial and other uses;
(c) the safety, cost, viability and effectiveness of alternative technologies
such as cyclotrons and spallation sources compared with the long-term
commissioning, operation and decommissioning of a new reactor; and
(d) whether the issues raised by the 1993 Research Reactor Review have
been satisfactorily addressed in the context of the decision to proceed
with a new reactor at Lucas Heights.
Originally the Committee was due to report on 8 April 1998. The Committee
later sought an extension to 5 November 1998.
On 30 August 1998 Parliament was prorogued and elections scheduled for
3 October 1999. On 7 December 1998, after the commencement of the
new Parliament, the Senate re-adopted this reference, with a reporting
date of 18 February 1999. However, after changes in the membership
of the Committee and the release of Part 3 of the Environmental Impact
Statement relating to the proposed new reactor at Lucas Heights, a further
extension was sought and granted to enable the Committee to examine the
final EIS and also to hold further public hearings. The reporting date
was eventually extended to 10 August 1999. At the request of the Committee,
this date has been extended to 1 September 1999.
The Inquiry
On 6 December 1997 the Committee advertised its terms of reference and
called for submissions to be lodged by 27 February 1998. The Committee
received 35 submissions and 15 supplementary submissions from a range
of individuals and organisations. These are listed at Appendix 1.
The Committee held five public hearings: two in Sutherland; one in Sydney
and two in Canberra. Details of dates of public hearings and witnesses
called at these hearings are listed in Appendix 2.
As part of its inquiry, the Committee also inspected the Lucas Heights
site and the National Medical Cyclotron operated by ANSTO at the Royal
Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown.
The Committee thanks those individuals and organisations who prepared
written submissions, gave oral evidence to the Committee or provided additional
information and material to assist the Committee with its inquiry.