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More debate on waste dump T
he ABC last week continued the debate initiated by Rowan Ramsey and supported by Roxby resident, John Read, to site the national low-level radioactive repository at Olympic Dam. The Roxby Downs ecologist and long-term resident says the South Australian Government is hypocritical for supporting the Olympic Dam mine and its expansion, yet ruling our hosting the national nuclear waste repository. According to the report, a national study had suggested the area to be the most suitable location as a low-level waste repository. John Read says, while it has led to debate, many local residents are not against the idea. “I rather provocatively challenged anyone to explain why the waste repository should not be located adjacent to the tailings dams and have received only support from local residents.” He told the ABC that, with radiation, environmental and security measures already in place, it could turn out to be an economic master stroke for the Roxby Downs community. Mr Read says the SA Government is willing to talk up expansion of uranium mining in the area but is hypocritical by not wanting to store the waste here. He told the Monitor after his ABC interview, “If Olympic Dam is boasting about developing the world’s largest Uranium mine, then it is hypocritical to deny a site for nuclear waste. “Many of the fuels and chemicals used and transported to site are more hazardous than lowlevel waste and the tailings dams contain far more low-level radioactive waste than stored in all of the hospitals, research sites and temporary storages around Aus-
tralia”. “If we can manage the uranium mining and we can manage the tailings then hosting a waste repository is just a dutiful thing to do,” he said. “It takes a courageous step for the company and the State Government to say ‘Ok, we’re involved in this game, we’re going to take responsibility and offer to host the national repository’.” He said that unlike any town or rural community in Australia, every resident of Roxby Downs has moved here in the knowledge that large levels of radioactive waste are stored locally. “As long as everything is stored securely, residents should be no more opposed to a nuclear waste site than the BHP Billiton mine.” Mr Read is a former BHP employee and like his co-workers who could have contributed to the debate he was prevented from contact with the media. The media typically provide the public with limited information and disables them from understanding the whole of the situation. “The other week, The Monitor spoke to only sixpeople about the waste site before publishing a damning headline. Six people plucked from the street and not provided with context or background can hardly be seen as a representative and responsible survey of public opinion,” said Mr Read. “Millions of dollars spent researching the best location for the national nuclear waste site found the Roxby-Woomera region to be optimal. Hence it is wrong for us to ignore the facts, shirk our responsibilities and force the repository to a less optimal location and upon a community who do have the understanding and accept the low risks and negative perception associated with low levels of radiation,” said Mr Read.
For reverse cycle and evaporative air-conditioners at home or work, please call: 8346 7388 or 0418 822 116 Volume 4, Thursday July 31st, 2008
Racing to Roxby for the 14th annual Cup It was a case of all hands on deck last weekend as the Roxby Downs Racing Club comittee prepared for the forthcoming Roxby Downs Race meeting on August 9. Once a year the track comes to life with the excitement of horses racing and the carnival atmoshpere it provides. With more than 2000 people expeted to grace the course there is plenty of work to do in the lead-up to the racing. A feature of the racing carnival will be the 1800 metre Onestell Outback Cup and a strong field of runners will line up. The six race program has drawn generous support from sponsors with a prize purse of $35,000 that is sure to attract more than 50 horses for the day. Pictured at left on the weekend is Idelle Diment, vice president of the Roxby Downs Racing Club sprucing up the ladies’ toilet with a fresh coat of paint. Below is Sam Keightley (left) with the president of the Roxby Downs Racing Club, Stuart Cormack looking over the track and the finishing line.