Senator Allison asked the Minister representing the Minister for Science, upon notice, on 11 December 2002:

(1) Is the Minister aware that Gippsland Water proposed to dump low-level solidified radioactive waste at a site at Dutson Downs near Sale, Victoria.

(2) What are the processes and requirements of the Federal Government in relation to such a proposal.

(3) Has Gippsland Water or the Victorian Government contacted the Minister with regard to the proposal.

(4) Is it the intention of the Government to require such low-level radioactive waste to be stored in a facility that is at least as stringent as the Federal Government's proposed National Waste Repository; if not, why not.

Senator Alston (Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts) —The Minister for Science has provided the following answer to the honourable senator's question:

(1) I am aware of a proposal to dispose of oil scale at the Dutson Downs Waste Disposal Facility near Sale in Victoria. Oil scale is a naturally occurring by-product of the petroleum industry which contains extremely low levels of radioactive material such as Radium 226. The radiation dose to the public from the disposal of this material has been calculated at less than 0.01 milliSieverts per annum. This represents an extremely low level of radiation dose which is less than 1% of Australian and internationally accepted limits for such exposure.

(2) The Dutson Downs Waste Management Facility is owned and controlled by the Victorian Government and, as such, all current and proposed activities on site are the responsibility of the State Government.

(3) No.

(4) See response to question 2.