The statement, "Medical and scientific groups hailed the decision, with Professor Michael Barton, chair of the NSW Cancer Council Radiation Oncology Working Group, saying major diagnostic and therapeutic benefits would follow" ...is interesting in that there is no mention of the fact that the Australian BNCT research community was shut out from the decision process in the early, reactor design specification stage.... no doubt that would be considered politically incorrect at this stage ?
Two years ago, the following message was posted on the BNCT listserv :
From: ***********@UNSW.EDU.AU]
Reply To: BNCT@MITVMA.MIT.Edu
Sent: Wednesday May 10, 2000 10:55 PM
To: BNCT@MITVMA.MIT.EDU
Subject: Re: web page + comments
Dear Jaro
You should have added Australia as well as Outer Mongolia!
The three major medical societies in Australia, COSA (Cancer), ACPSEM (medical physics), RANZCR (radiotherapy) have all protested at the omission of an epithermal beam "capability" in the New Research Reactor. However, an unavailable "Beam Line Committee" report by mostly physicists killed the idea in favour of neutron scattering, ANSTO will not reconsider, the Department of Health acknowledges the need but that's all.
So where to from here?
Regards
********
Prof ********* PhD DSc
FAIP, FAPS, FACPSEM, FIP
*************
Centre for Experimental Radiation Oncology
St George Cancer Care Centre
Gray St Kogarah NSW 2217 Australia
Tel: 61 (0)2 *************
Fax: 61 (0)2 *************
http://www.msta.cc/ero.htm
http://www.msta.cc/ivbc.htm
<end quote>
Jaro
-----Original Message-----
From: Adam McLean [mailto:adam.mclean@utoronto.ca]
Sent: Sunday April 07, 2002 10:23 AM
To: Canadian Nuclear Discussion List
Subject: [cdn-nucl-l] New Australian nuclear reactor to be ready by 2005
Posted on Australian ninemsn.com on April 6, 2002 and at:
http://news.ninemsn.com.au/National/story_11728.asp?MSID=9be209fcae1b4349b657e63cad5c08a9
Adam
------------------
New nuclear reactor to be ready by 2005
SCIENCE MINISTER PETER MCGUARAN SAYS THE REPORT ON THE SAFETY OF THE
REPLACEMENT NUCLEAR REACTOR PLANNED FOR THE SYDNEY SUBURB OF LUCAS
HEIGHTS SHOWS THAT THOSE WHO OBJECT TO IT ARE EXTREMISTS. Listen to
Audio
The federal government approved a new nuclear reactor for southern
Sydney despite intense pressure from environmentalists and the local
community.
The decision in favour of the $300 million reactor for Lucas Heights was
applauded in medical and scientific circles, and at least one suburb was
expecting an economic boost as a result.
Construction of the replacement reactor at Lucas Heights will begin
within days, Science Minister Peter McGauran said.
He said the project represented the largest single investment in
Australian science history.
Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) chief
executive Professor Helen Garnett said the new plant would become a hub
for scientists in many fields.
"The new facility will have enormous potential for unlocking knowledge
associated with biotechnology, nano-technology, new material science,
environmental science, engineering, medicine, just to name a few," she
said.
The Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA)
said it issued the construction licence after careful consideration of
detailed technical assessments, public submissions and reports from the
Nuclear Safety Committee.
"After the process of assessment, I have reached the conclusion that
this design would result in a reactor that could be operated safely,"
ARPANSA chief executive Dr John Loy said in a statement.
The facility will be built by Argentinian company INVAP and is due to be
up and running by 2005.
Medical and scientific groups hailed the decision, with Professor
Michael Barton, chair of the NSW Cancer Council Radiation Oncology
Working Group, saying major diagnostic and therapeutic benefits would
follow.
The new reactor meant cheaper production and a more reliable supply of
the isotopes, which would otherwise have to be imported, he said.
However, protesters vowed to continue the fight against the project -
starting tonight with a vigil outside the Lucas Heights compound.
Environment groups, united under the banner Reaction, said they would
hold an all-night vigil from 5pm (AEST) outside ANSTO.
Greenpeace nuclear campaigner James Courtney said the decision made a
mockery of the ARPANSA claim to protect the community from the harmful
effects of radiation.
"This reactor will put Sydney at risk for at least 40 more years, both
as a terrorist target and as a nuclear waste producer," Mr Courtney said
in a statement.
Sutherland Shire Council and local residents said they too felt the
decision to approve the new reactor ignored their concerns.
"The federal government was regulating itself here and not listening to
any of the health and safety concerns put forward," Councillor Genevieve
Rankin said.
Her opinion was echoed by Sutherland resident Heather Rice, who said she
felt the decision had been a foregone conclusion and residents'
submissions had been in vain.
CAAP 2002
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