Osborne Naval Ship yard is now a designated zone for nuclear-powered submarines under new Federal government legislation, bypassing and over-riding the civilian nuclear safety agency, ARPANSA.
Nuclear subs have never used this Port before, and now the nuclear fuel cycle will be established in the Osborne yard, less than a kilometre from homes. Naval nuclear reactors are to be authorized at Port Adelaide under the powers of a military nuclear regulator, the “Australian Naval Nuclear Power Safety Regulator”, which will report directly to the Minister for Defence.
This is cold comfort for residents on the LeFevre Peninsula and Adelaide, previously declared nuclear-free zone by the former City of Port Adelaide.
Apart from the peacetime safety issues these subs would be military targets in a conventional or nuclear war.
If an accident were to occur, would Port Adelaide and beyond become uninhabitable?
The SA and Port Adelaide communities have a right to have a say on nuclear safety and on the risks in bringing naval nuclear reactors into the Port.
Key public interest questions are yet to be answered.
