Outcome:	1. Environment			Question No: 28
Sub-outcome:	
Output:  	
Division/Agency:	Supervising Scientist Division
Topic: 	ARRTC Key Knowledge Needs

Hansard Page ECITA:	76

Senator Crossin asked: 
Is that [ARRTC Key Knowledge Needs document] publicly available?

Answer/s:
The ARRTC Key Knowledge Needs (Attachment A) and Prioritised Key Knowledge Needs (Attachment B) documents are attached.

Attachment A
Alligator Rivers Region Technical Committee
Key Knowledge Needs
Overall objective: 
To undertake relevant research that will generate knowledge leading to improved management and protection of the ARR and monitoring that will be sufficiently sensitive to assess whether or not the environment is protected to the high standard demanded by the Australian government and community.
Background
In assessing the Key Knowledge Needs for research and monitoring in the Alligator Rivers Region, ARRTC has taken into account current mining plans in the region and the standards for environmental protection and rehabilitation determined by the Australian Government.
The assumptions made for uranium mining operations in the region are:
•	Mining of uranium at Ranger is expected to cease in about 2008. This will be followed by milling until about 2011 and final rehabilitation expected to be completed by about 2016.
•	Nabarlek is decommissioned but has not reached a status where the NT Government will agree to issue a Revegetation Certificate to the mine operator. Assessment of the success of rehabilitation at Nabarlek is ongoing and is being used as an analogue for rehabilitation at Ranger. 
•	Jabiluka will remain in a care and maintenance condition for some years, at least until mining ceases at Ranger.
•	It is unlikely that any proposal will be brought forward for mining at Koongarra in the foreseeable future.
This scenario is considered to be a reasonable basis on which to base plans for research and monitoring, but such plans may need to be amended if mining plans change in the future. ARRTC will develop a series of possible future scenarios regarding uranium mining in the ARR, and will ensure the research and monitoring strategy is flexible enough to accommodate any new knowledge needs. 
The Commonwealth Government has specified Primary and Secondary environmental objectives for mining at Ranger in the Ranger Environmental Requirements. Similar standards would be expected for any future mining development at Jabiluka or Koongarra. 
Specifically, under the Ranger Environmental Requirements (ERs):
The company must ensure that operations at Ranger are undertaken in such a way as to be consistent with the following primary environmental objectives:
(a)	maintain the attributes for which Kakadu National Park was inscribed on the World Heritage list; 
(b)	maintain the ecosystem health of the wetlands listed under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands (i.e. the wetlands within Stages I and II of Kakadu National Park); 
(c)	protect the health of Aboriginals and other members of the regional community; and
(d)	maintain the natural biological diversity of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems of the Alligator Rivers Region, including ecological processes.
With respect to rehabilitation at Ranger, the ERs state that:
The company must rehabilitate the Ranger Project Area to establish an environment similar to the adjacent areas of Kakadu National Park such that, in the opinion of the Minister with the advice of the Supervising Scientist, the rehabilitated area could be incorporated into the Kakadu National Park.
The ERs go on to specify the major objectives of rehabilitation at Ranger as follows:
(a)	revegetation of the disturbed sites of the Ranger Project Area using local native plant species similar in density and abundance to those existing in adjacent areas of Kakadu National Park, to form an ecosystem the long term viability of which would not require a maintenance regime significantly different from that appropriate to adjacent areas of the park;
(b)	stable radiological conditions on areas impacted by mining so that, the health risk to members of the public, including traditional owners, is as low as reasonably achievable; members of the public do not receive a radiation dose which exceeds applicable limits recommended by the most recently published and relevant Australian standards, codes of practice, and guidelines; and there is a minimum of restrictions on the use of the area;
(c)	erosion characteristics which, as far as can reasonably be achieved, do not vary significantly from those of comparable landforms in surrounding undisturbed areas.
While there are many possible different structures that could be used to specify the Key Knowledge needs, ARRTc has chosen to list the knowledgd needs under the following headings:
•	Ranger – current operations
•	Ranger – rehabilitation
•	Jabiluka
•	Nabarlek
•	General Alligator Rivers Region
•	Knowledge management and communication.
1.	Ranger - Current Operations
ARRTC believes that the knowledge (research) needs relating to the current management of the uranium mining operations in the ARR would be best organised within a risk management framework. Such a framework would permit the various risks to the ARR to be assessed using a consistent, quantitative methodology and to be placed in priority order. Risk management is built on the use of quantitative predictive models to link threats or stressors with potential adverse ecological effects.
ERISS is undertaking some ecological risk assessment work, but we believe this needs to be upgraded and made the central focus of the research program. Proposals for research should then be assessed in terms of how the knowledge generated will contribute to the management of risk from the mining operations.
1.1.	Reassess existing threats 
Surface water transport of radionuclides: Using existing data, assess the present and future risks of health problems to the aboriginal population eating bush tucker potentially contaminated by the mining operations bearing in mind that the current traditional owners derive a significant proportion of their food from bush tucker. 
Atmospheric transport of radionuclides: Using existing data and atmospheric transport models, review and summarise, within a risk framework, dose rates for members of the general public arising from operations at the Ranger mine.
1.2.	Ongoing operational issues 
Ecological risks via the surface water pathway: In order to place the off-site contaminant issues at Ranger in a risk management context, a conceptual model of transport/exposure pathways should be developed. This process should include a review and assessment of the existing information on the risks of the bioaccumulation and trophic transfer (i.e. biomagnification) of uranium and other Ranger mining-related contaminants from all exposure pathways and including the identification of key information gaps. 
Land irrigation: Investigations are required on shallow groundwaters in the land irrigation areas adjacent to Magela Creek as a diffuse source of contaminants. Contaminants of interest/concern in addition to radionuclides are magnesium, sulfate and manganese. Further, the status of the irrigation areas in relation to decommissioning requirements (including radiological risk) needs to be assessed. Water quality models will be linked to knowledge of ecological effects.
Wetland filters: The key research issue associated with wetland filters in relation to ongoing operations is to determine whether their capacity to remove metals (principally uranium) from the water column will continue to meet the needs of the water management system in order to ensure protection of the downstream environment. Related to this is a reconciliation of the solute mass balance particularly for the Corridor Creek System. 
Ecotoxicology: Although a great deal of ecotoxicological research and assessment has been undertaken, there are still a number of key issues that remain to be addressed including uranium toxicity measurements for two additional local native species, completion of research on the toxicity of magnesium including the ameliorative effects of calcium, and an assessment of the toxicity of manganese. Other issues that should be considered could include the relationship between dissolved organic matter and uranium toxicity and the effects of suspended sediment on aquatic biota.
Assurance program for radionuclide surface water transport: Further research on surface water dispersion of radionuclides is not considered necessary on the basis of risk. However, a continuing program of monitoring of radionuclides in surface water and in aquatic biota is considered necessary to provide assurance for aboriginal people who source food items from the Magela creek system downstream of Ranger.
Radiation exposure of workers: Further work should be considered in three areas: (a) a more robust examination of radon loss from dust particles, (b) development of a system which measures the concentration of radioactive dust and radon progeny in the breathing zone of a worker whilst wearing respiratory protection, and (c) measurement of the AMAD and solubility of ore and product dusts in a range of exposure scenarios. 
1.3.	Monitoring
Surface water, groundwater, chemical, biological, sediment, radiological monitoring: Routine and project-based chemical, biological, radiological and sediment monitoring should continue. There is very little research required for the continued implementation of these programs although there is scope for some specific research and analysis in relation to the review of the occupational radiological monitoring program. More specifically, ARRTC supports the design and implementation of a new risk-based radiological monitoring program based on a robust statistical analysis of the data collected over the life of Ranger.
2.	Ranger – Rehabilitation
Mining and milling at Ranger is likely to cease by about 2011. Closure of the Ranger mine requires a large number of decisions, many of which will be dependent upon high quality scientific and technical information. The generation of this information will be the major focus of Ranger over the next five years. It will also be necessary to develop a holistic monitoring strategy, based on the risk assessments (and the associated models) recommended above, that aims to quantify changes in the identified high risk areas or test outcomes predicted by the models.
2.1.	Landform design
Development and agreement of closure criteria from the landform perspective: Closure criteria from the landform perspective need to be established at both the broad scale and the specific. At the broad scale, agreement is needed, particularly with the traditional owners and within the context of the objectives for rehabilitation incorporated within the ERs, on the general strategy to be adopted in constructing the final landform. These considerations would include issues such as maximum height of the landform, the maximum slope gradient (from the aesthetic perspective), and the presence or absence of lakes or open water. At the specific scale, some criteria could usefully be developed as guidance for the initial landform design such as slope length and angle (from the erosion perspective), the minimum cover required over low grade ore, and the minimum distance of low grade ore from batter slopes. Specific criteria are needed that will be used to assess the success of landform construction. These would include, for example, maximum radon exhalation and gamma dose rates, maximum sediment delivery rates, maximum constituent concentration rates in runoff and maximum settling rates over tailings repositories. 
Initial landform design: An initial design is required for the proposed final landform. This would be based upon the optimum mine plan from the operational point of view and it would take into account the broad closure criteria, engineering considerations and the specific criteria developed for guidance in the design of the landform. This initial landform would need to be optimised using the information obtained in detailed water quality, geomorphic, hydrological and radiological programs listed below.
Water quality in seepage and runoff from the final landform: Existing water quality monitoring and research data on surface runoff and subsurface flow need to be analysed to develop models for the quality of water, and its time dependence, that would enter major drainage lines from the initial landform design. Options for adjusting the design to minimise solute concentrations and loads leaving the landform need to be assessed.
Groundwater modelling: In addition to the seepage and runoff issues discussed above, there is a specific need to address the existence of mounds under the tailings dam and waste rock stockpiles. Models are needed to predict the behaviour of groundwater and solute transport in the vicinity of these mounds and options developed for their remediation to ensure that on-site revegetation can be achieved and that off-site solute transport from the mounds will meet environmental protection objectives. 
Geomorphic behaviour and evolution of the landscape: The existing data set used in determination of the key parameters for geomorphological modelling of the proposed final landform should be reviewed after consideration of the near-surface characteristics of the initial proposed landform. Further measurements of erosion characteristics should be carried out if considered necessary. The current site-specific landform evolution models should be applied to the initial proposed landform to develop predictions for long term erosion rates, incision and gullying rates, and sediment delivery rates to the surrounding catchments. Options for adjusting the design to minimise erosion of the landform need to be assessed. In addition, an assessment is needed of the geomorphic stability of the Ranger minesite with respect to the erosional effects of extreme events. 
Radiological characteristics of the final landform: 
The characteristics of the final landform from the radiological exposure perspective need to be determined and methods need to be developed to minimise radiation exposure to ensure that restrictions on access to the land are minimised. Radon emanation rates, gamma dose rates and radionuclide concentrations in dust need to be determined and models developed for both near-field and far-field exposure. The pre-mining radiological conditions should also be assessed so that estimates can be made of the likely change in exposure rates compared to pre-mining conditions.
Testing of ‘trial’ landforms: Current landforms at Ranger and at other sites such as Nabarlek should be used to test the various models and predictions for water quality, geomorphic behaviour and radiological characteristics at Ranger. 
Final landform design: The detailed design for the final landform at Ranger should be determined taking into account the results of the above research programs on surface and ground water, geomorphic modelling and radiological characteristics.
2.2.	Ecosystem establishment
Development and agreement of closure criteria from ecosystem establishment perspective: Closure criteria for ecosystem establishment need to be established at both the broad scale and the specific. At the broad scale, agreement is needed, particularly with the traditional owners and within the context of the objectives for rehabilitation incorporated within the ERs, on the general strategy to be adopted on habitat types to be incorporated and the species composition of trees, shrubs and grasses to be established on the landform. At the specific scale, criteria are needed that will be used to assess the success of ecosystem establishment. These would include, for example, targets for species density and abundance and measures of faunal return. 
Characterisation of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystem types at analogue sites: To implement the revegetation strategy for Ranger Mine, an understanding of the relationships between vegetation communities and key geomorphic features (parent material, slope, effective soil depth, internal drainage characteristics) in surrounding areas of Kakadu National Park is essential in identifying sustainable and achievable ‘landscape’ analogues (or target habitats) for the final, post-mine landform at Ranger. Identification and description of these landscape analogues is also the first step in developing robust, measurable, ecologically-based criteria for assessing revegetation performance, function and success.
Establishment and sustainability of ecosystems on mine landform: Research on how the landform, vegetation, fauna habitat, hydrology and geochemistry will be reconstructed at Ranger is essential. Noting that there are no good examples in the wet-dry tropics of successful reclamation of hard rock mines, priority needs to be given to this research. Research sites should be established that demonstrate an ability to reconstruct an ecosystem, even if this is at a relatively small scale. Issues that need to be addressed include species selection, seed collection germination and storage, propagation of recalcitrant species, nursery production of seedlings, fertiliser strategies including application methods and direct seeding techniques. Other issues requiring investigation include the return of fauna habitat, potential plant toxicity problems from waste rock, the exclusion of weeds and the effects of fire, hydrology and erosion on the rehabilitation strategy.
Radiation exposure pathways associated with ecosystem re-establishment: Bioaccumulation studies conducted to date have focussed on aquatic animal and plant species because of their importance of the aquatic transport pathway, particularly during the operational phase of uranium mining operations. Information on radionuclide uptake by terrestrial animals and plants is required to enable a radiological risk assessment to be carried out for the revegetation program. This needs to be coupled with estimates of terrestrial bushfood consumption by local Aboriginal people. Another radiological issue that requires assessment is the potential for tree roots to penetrate any radon barriers that form part of the rehabilitated landscape.
2.3.	Groundwater dispersion
Containment of tailings and other mine wastes: The primary method for protection of the environment from dispersion of contaminants from tailings and other wastes will be containment. For this purpose, investigations are required on the hydrogeological integrity of the pits, the long-term geotechnical properties of tailings and waste rock fill in mine voids, tailings deposition methods, geochemical and geotechnical assessment of potential barrier materials, and strategies and technologies to access and ‘seal’ the surface of the tailings mass, drain and dispose of tailings porewater, backfill and cap the remaining pit void.
Geochemical characterization of source terms: Investigations are needed to characterise the source term for transport of contaminants from the tailings mass in groundwater. These will include determination of the permeability of the tailings and its variation through the tailings mass, strategies and technologies to enhance settled density and accelerate consolidation of tailings, and pore water concentrations of key constituents. Assessment is also needed of the effectiveness (cost and environmental significance) of paste and cementation technologies for increasing tailings density and reducing the solubility of chemical constituents in tailings. 
Aquifer characterization and whole-of-site model: The aquifers surrounding the tailings repositories (Pits 1 and 3) need to be characterised to enable modelling of the dispersion of contaminants from the repositories. This will involve geophysics surveys, geotechnical drilling and groundwater monitoring and investigations on the interactions between the deep and shallow aquifers.
Hydrological/hydrogeochemical modelling: Predictive hydrological/hydrogeological models need to be developed, tested and applied to assess the dispersion of contaminants from the tailings repositories over a period of 10,000 years. These models will be used to assess whether all relevant and appropriate factors have been considered in designing and constructing an in-pit tailings containment system that will prevent environmental detriment in the long term.
2.4.	Water treatment
Active treatment technologies for specific mine waters: Substantial volumes of process water retained at Ranger in the tailings dam and Pit 1 must be disposed of by a combination of water treatment and evaporation during the mining and milling phases of the operation and during the rehabilitation phase. Research priorities include treatment technologies and enhanced evaporation technologies that can be implemented for very high salinity process water. 
Passive treatment of waters from the rehabilitated landform: Sentinel wetlands may form part of the final landform at Ranger. Research on wetland filters during the operational phase of mining will provide information relevant to this issue. However, there is a need to assess the long-term behaviour of physical and biotic components of wetlands and the ecological health of wetlands which are used to treat runoff from the proposed rehabilitated landform. 
2.5.	Monitoring
A monitoring program to assess the success of rehabilitiation at Ranger will be essential. Prior to its design and implementation, clear and agreed closure criteria will be needed as indicated above. These criteria should be used to determine the design of the monitoring program. 
Monitoring of the rehabilitated landform: A new management and monitoring regime for the rehabilitated Ranger landform needs to be developed and implemented. It needs to address all relevant aspects of the rehabilitated landform including ground and surface water quality, radiological issues, erosion, flora, fauna, weeds, and fire. 
Off-site monitoring during and following rehabilitation: A monitoring regime for the downstream environment is also required to assess rehabilitation success with respect to protection of the downstream environment. This program should address the dispersion of contaminants by surface water, ground water and via the atmosphere. 
3.	Jabiluka
The Jabiluka project has now entered a long-term care and maintenance phase. It is ARRTC’s view that ongoing monitoring will be required throughout this period. In addition, a review is needed of knowledge that would be required prior to any proposal to develop Jabiluka. In particular, it will be necessary to identify and implement any projects considered essential in providing this knowledge well in advance of any development plans.
3.1.	Monitoring 
Monitoring during the care & maintenance phase: The monitoring regime for Jabiluka during the care and maintenance phase needs to be determined, implemented and regularly reviewed. The monitoring program (addressing chemical, biological, sediment and radiological issues) should be commensurate with the environmental risks posed by the site, but should also serve as a component of any program to collect baseline data required before development such as meteorological and sedimentary data.
3.2.	Research 
Research required prior to any development: A review of knowledge needs is required to assess minimum requirements in advance of any development. This review would include the groundwater regime (permeabilities, aquifer connectivity etc), hydrometeorological data, waste rock erosion, assess site-specific ecotoxicology for uranium, additional baseline for flora and fauna surveys. 
4.	Nabarlek
Nabarlek is decommissioned but has not reached a status where the NT Government will agree to issue a Revegetation Certificate to the mine operator. Since Nabarlek is the first Australian uranium mine of the modern era to complete operations and be rehabilitated, ARRTC believes that Australia needs to ensure that an overall assessment of the success of rehabilitation at Nabarlek is carried out. The Nabarlek site should also be used as an analogue for rehabilitation at Ranger and projects at Nabarlek should be designed to address specific issues of concern at Ranger.
4.1.	Success of revegetation
Revegetation assessment: The principal ongoing issue at Nabarlek is the poor revegetation. Assessment of the adequacy of revegetation at the site should continue and, following its completion, management options should be developed and submitted to the mine-site technical committee for its consideration.
Development of revegetation monitoring method: A methodology and monitoring regime for the assessment of revegetation success at Nabarlek needs to be developed and implemented. Currently, resource intensive detailed vegetation and soil characterisation assessments along transects located randomly within characteristic areas of the rehabilitated landform are being undertaken. Whilst statistically valid, these assessments cover only a very small proportion of the site. Remote sensing (satellite) data are also being collected and the efficacy of remote sensing techniques for vegetation assessment should continue. The outcomes of this research will be very relevant to Ranger.
4.2.	Assessment of radiological, chemical and geomorphic success of rehabilitation
Overall assessment of rehabilitation success at Nabarlek: The current program on erosion, surface water chemistry, groundwater chemistry and radiological issues should be continued to the extent required to carry out an overall assessment of the success of rehabilitation at Nabarlek. In particular, all radiological exposure pathways should be evaluated and a comprehensive radiation dose model for Nabarlek should be developed.
5.	General ARR
5.1.	Landscape scale analysis of impact
Apart from regular refinement of procedures for the current monitoring programs, a potential major future research area is the possible development of broader, landscape scale programs that would enable possible effects of mining to be distinguished from those arising from other causes. Such a program was recommended by the Independent Science Panel of the World Heritage Committee. Initial studies have been undertaken. However, ARRTC believes that, before committing further resources to this program, a review of the program to assist in determining future priorities needs to be undertaken.
Re-assess and prioritise the landscape program: A review is required, within a modelling conceptual and risk assessment framework, of the landscape wide program to determine options and priorities for the future development of this program.
5.2.	South Alligator River valley rehabilitation 
The focus of work to develop and implement a rehabilitation strategy for historic uranium mining related sites in the South Alligator Valley is the identification of a suitable site for the burial of radiologically active mining residues such as uranium ores or sediments contaminated with tailings. Parks Australia is responsible for this program. Once potential sites have been identified based upon hydrology, access, stability, cultural and other considerations, groundwater investigations will be required to ensure that the site meets requirements for minimum separation between the base of the repository and top of the water table. 
Assessment of mine sites in the South Alligator River valley: SSD conducts regular assessments of the status of mine sites in the SAR valley, provides advice to Parks Australia on technical issues associated with its rehabilitation program and occasionally conducts a low level radiological monitoring program, primarily for assurance purposes. ARRTC believes these should continue.
5.3	Develop monitoring program related to West Arnhem Land exploration activities 
Mining exploration is proceeding in the eastern area of the ARR in Arnhem Land outside the Kakadu National Park. In order to overcome the common problem of inadequate baseline data for correctly identifying the cause of environmental change, the SSD and NLC have jointly advocated the strategic collection of regional baseline information on aquatic ecosystems in areas adjacent to mining exploration sites in the ARR. 
Baseline studies for biological assessment in West Arnhem Land: In areas adjacent to mining exploration sites, ARRTC believes there is a need to determine a baseline for (a) rare, threatened and endemic biota and (b) indicator species or groups such as macroinvertebrates. 
5.4	Koongarra 
There are currently no plans for the development of the Koongarra uranium prospect. However, it is ARRTC’s view that, subject to the prioritisation of available resources, an ongoing base-line data collection program could be established and the value of Koongarra as an analogue for pre-mining radiological conditions at Ranger could be investigated.
Baseline monitoring program for Koongarra. A low level monitoring program should be developed for Koongarra to provide baseline data in advance of any possible future development at the site. Data from this program may also have some relevance as a control system for comparison to Ranger, Jabiluka and Nabarlek. 
Analogue information for pre-mining conditions at Ranger: The value of Koongarra as an analogue site for pre-mining radiological conditions at Ranger should be investigated. There are some pre-mining radiological data for Ranger but the value of these data could be greatly enhanced if it could be extrapolated, through the use of an undisturbed analogue site such as Koongarra, to provide further information on parameters such as pre-mining gamma dose rates, radon exhalation, and radioactivity concentrations in dust.
6.	Knowledge Management and Communication
The ARR is one of the most studied regions in Australia. Consequently, a very large amount of knowledge has been accumulated over the years on this system. The stimulus for the research is that knowledge-based management of the uranium mines is the best approach to ensuring minimal risk to the ARR. 
ARRTC believes that additional emphasis needs to be put on knowledge management and exchange in the next five years. Key aspects that will need to be addressed include:
6.1		Integrated framework 
Development of an integrated framework: This has already commenced within a landscape analysis framework and is linked with the development of conceptual models of the ARR recommended above. Such an integrated framework will assist with the communication where the scientific information is relevant, and how it informs on the various risks to the system and its people from the uranium mines. 
6.2	Uncertainty analysis 
Uncertainty analysis of data and communication: People involved in the management of natural resources rarely have all the information they need. Even in the ARR, where a very large amount of research has been undertaken on the possible impacts of uranium mining, there is still much not known about the risks. ARRTC believes that management of the mining operations would be improved if the uncertainties in the risk assessment were explicitly identified and communicated. Additionally, those high risk areas where the uncertainty is great would be targeted for more research. It is expected that current work on the development of conceptual models of the ARR will clarify many of these uncertainties.
6.3	Effective communication channels between research providers
Establishing effective communication channels between and within research providers: There are a large number of organisations undertaking research in the ARR including SSD, EWLS, ERA, Parks Australia North and CSIRO. Given limited resources, it is critical that research is not being duplicated or previous studies repeated. ARRTC believes that communication between the various research providers could be improved and become more formalised to ensure better outcomes for all parties.
6.4	Effective communication to stakeholders 
Effective communication of science to stakeholders: There are a large number of stakeholders with direct and indirect interests in uranium mining in the ARR. It is critical that the results of the high quality research being undertaken in the ARR is communicated to all stakeholders in the most relevant format. ARRTC believes that the various research providers need to target their communication strategies more specifically to the various stakeholder groups.

Attachment B

ARRTC Key Knowledge Needs for uranium mining in the ARR
Timescale, Priority and Appropriate Organisation
Timescale: A = immediate, B = 1- 5 years, C = 5-10 years		
Priority: 1 = Significant, Priority 2 = Medium, Priority 3 = Low

1.	Ranger Current Operations
PROGRAM	Timescale	Priority	Organisation	
1.1 Reassess existing threats				
•	Surface water transport of radionuclides 	A	2	SSD	
•	Atmospheric transport of radionuclides	A	2	SSD	
1.2 Ongoing operational issues				
•	Ecological risks via the surface water pathway	A	2	SSD	
•	Land irrigation 	B	1	SSD/ERA	
•	Wetland filters	B	3	SSD/ERA	
•	Ecotoxicology  	A	1	SSD	
•	Assurance program for radionuclide surface water transport	A/B	**	SSD	
•	Radiation exposure of workers	A/B	1	SSD/ERA	
1.3 Monitoring Program				
•	Surface water, groundwater, chemical, biological, sediment, radiological monitoring	A/B/C	1	SSD/ERA	
**	Science 3, Assurance 1

2.	Ranger Rehabilitation
PROGRAM	Timescale	Priority	Organisation	
2.1 Final landform design				
•	Development and agreement of closure criteria from landform perspective	B	1	SSD/ERA	
•	Initial landform design 	A	1	ERA/SSD	
•	Water quality in seepage and runoff from te final landform 	B	1	ERA/SSD	
•	Groundwater modelling in vicinity of mounds	B	1	ERA	
•	Geomorphic behaviour and evolution of the landscape 	B	1	ERA/SSD	
•	Radiological characteristics of the final landform	B	1	SSD	
•	Testing of ‘trial’ landforms 	B	2	ERA/SSD	
•	Final Landform design	B/C	1	ERA	
2.2 Ecosystem establishment				
•	Development and agreement of closure criteria from ecosystem establishment perspective 	B	1	SSD/ERA	
•	Characterisation of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystem types at analogue sites 	B	1	SSD/ERA	
•	Establishment and sustainability of ecosystems on mine landforms 	B	1	SSD/ERA	
•	Radiation exposure pathways associated with ecosystem establishment 	B	1	SSD	
2.3 Groundwater dispersion				
•	Containment of tailings and other mine wastes 	A	1	ERA	
•	Geochemical characterization of source terms 	A	1	ERA	
•	Aquifer characterization and whole-of-site model 	B	1	ERA	
•	Hydrological/hydrogeochemical modelling 	A/B	1	ERA/SSD	
2.4 Water treatment				
•	Active treatment technologies for specific mine waters 	A/B	1	ERA	
•	Passive treatment of waters from the rehabilitated landform 	C	1	ERA/SSD	
2.5 Monitoring				
•	Monitoring of the rehabilitated landform   	C	1	SSD/ERA	
•	Off-site monitoring during and following rahabilitation	C	1	SSD	

3.	Jabiluka
PROGRAM	Timescale	Priority	Organisation	
3.1 Monitoring during the care & maintenance phase				
•	Surface water, groundwater, chemical, biological, sediment, radiological  monitoring	A/B/C	1	SSD/ERA	
3.2 Research required prior to any development				
•	Review of information needs to assess minimum requirements in advance of any development 	B/C	2	ERA/SSD	

4.	Nabarlek
PROGRAM	Timescale	Priority	Organisation	
4.1 Success of revegetation				
•	Revegetation assessment 	A	1	SSD	
•	Development of revegetation monitoring methods	A/B	1	SSD	
4.2 Assessment of radiological, chemical and geomorphic success of rehabilitation				
•	Overall assessment of rehabilitation success at Nabarlek 	A/B	1	SSD	

5.	General ARR
PROGRAM	Timescale	Priority	Organisation	
5.1 Landscape scale analysis of impact				
•	Re-assess and prioritise the landscape program 	A	1	SSD	
5.2 South Alligator River valley rehabilitation 				
•	Assessment of mine sites in the South Alligator River valley 	A/B	3	SSD	
5.3 Develop monitoring program related to West Arnhem Land exploration activities 				
•	Baseline studies for biological assessment in Arnhem Land 	A/B	3	SSD	
5.4 Koongarra – Baseline data and analogue information for rehabilitation of Ranger				
•	Baseline monitoring program for Koongarra	B/C	3	SSD	
•	Analogue information for pre-mining conditions at Ranger 	B	2	SSD/ERA	

6.	Knowledge Management and Communication
PROGRAM	Timescale	Priority	Organisation	
6.1 Integrated Framework				
•	Develop an integrated framework for knowledge communication 	A	1	SSD	
6.2 Uncertainty analysis 				
•	Uncertainty analysis of data and communication 	A/B	1	SSD/ERA	
6.3 Effective communication between research providers 				
•	Establishing effective communication channels within and between research providers 	A/B	1	SSD/ERA	
6.4 Effective communication to stakeholders				
•	Effective commincation of science to stakeholders	A/B	1	SSD/ERA/ARRTC	

Outcome:	1. Environment			Question No: 29
Division/Agency:	Supervising Scientist Division
Topic: 	SSD Strategic Review - Consultation

Hansard Page ECITA:	77

Senator Crossin asked: 
Do you have a list of the people in the second group that you included in your consultation?
Answer/s:
The stakeholders consulted were:
Department of the Environment and Heritage – David Borthwick (Secretary), Anthea Tinney and Conall O’Connell (Deputy Secretaries), Phil Glyde, Gerard Early, Tony Slatyer, Mark Tucker
Department of Education, Science and Technology – Jeff Harmer (Secretary), Steve Irwin
CSIRO – Steve Morton (Head Natural Resources Group) and John Williams (Chief of Land and Water Division and member of the Wentworth Group)
Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) – Dr John Loy (CEO)
NT Department of the Chief Minister (Office of Territory Development) – Dave Malone (Executive Director), Larry Bannister and Bob Collins
NT Department of Business, Industry & Resource Development – Peter Blake (CEO), Roger Smith and John Carroll
NT Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Environment – Barry Chambers (CEO), Barbara Singer and John Gilmour
Charles Darwin University (CDU) – Helen Garnett (Vice Chancellor), Charles Webb (Pro Vice Chancellor Research), Greg Hill (Dean Education, Health and Science) and Associate Professor David Parry
Professor Peter Cullen, former Director of the CRC for Freshwater Ecology and member of the Wentworth Group
Professor Bob Wasson, Director of the Centre for Resource and Environmental Science, ANU, and recently appointed as Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) at Charles Darwin University
Bureau of Resource Sciences – Dr Peter O’Brien, Director

Outcome:	1. Environment			Question No: 30
Division/Agency:	Supervising Scientist Division
Topic: 	SSD Strategic Review – Provision of Review Document

Hansard Page ECITA:	78

Senator Crossin asked: 
Will the review be made public? Will you be able to provide it to this committee?
Answer/s:
The review is currently underway and the outcomes will be presented to the Minister. The Minister will then decide how widely the review outcomes will be circulated.

Outcome:	1. Environment			Question No: 31
Division/Agency:	Supervising Scientist Division
Topic: 	Ranger Rehabilitation Bond

Hansard Page ECITA:	78

Senator Crossin asked: 
So $40 million is sitting there. What happens with any interest that has accrued on it or with any benefits from it? Is it rolled back into the account? Is it a trust account?

Answer/s:
The Ranger Rehabilitation Trust Fund is a trust fund administered by the Department of Industry, Tourism and Resources.
The fund is established pursuant to the Ranger Uranium Project Government Agreement as Amended, dated 12 September 1980.
The cost of rehabilitation is estimated annually and the funds held in the trust account adjusted to cover the estimated cost of rehabilitation in accordance with the Government Agreement as Amended.
Interest earned on the account is returned to the account.