11 September, 2014
Digging up trouble: NSW uranium plan is risky and flawed
Development of a uranium exploration and mining industry should not be permitted in NSW because it poses an unprecedented threat to the environment and public health, community groups have warned.
NSW Resources Minister Anthony Roberts announced today that six companies have the opportunity to apply for uranium exploration licences near Broken Hill, Dubbo and Cobar. [1]
Groups opposed to uranium exploration and mining in NSW said the government had no mandate to lift the 28-year-old ban on uranium exploration.
Nature Conservation Council CEO Kate Smolski said: “The uranium exploration ban was removed in 2012 without consultation with, or a mandate from, the people of NSW.
“Uranium exploration presents a very real risk to the environment, workers and local communities in NSW.
“It is disingenuous for Minister Roberts to say on one hand that the ban on uranium mining remains in place while on the other discussing uranium export safeguards and preparing the ground for a full-scale nuclear industry in NSW.”
Australian Conservation Foundation nuclear free campaigner Dave Sweeney said: “It is only three years since the Fukushima nuclear disaster – directly fuelled by Australian uranium - reminded the world about the dangers of nuclear energy and the contaminating uranium trade.
“Since Fukushima the Australian uranium industry has been under-performing and under pressure. This is no time to give a green light to yellow cake, and the door should not be opened further in NSW to this high-risk, low-return sector.”
Beyond Nuclear Initiative convenor Natalie Wasley said: “A broad coalition of organisations, including environmental groups, health organisations, trade unions and others in NSW signed to the Uranium Free Charter. [2]
“The charter details concerns over the impact of uranium mining and the wider nuclear industry on communities, workers and the environment, and calls for a shared energy future that is renewable, not radioactive. Attempts to further develop the uranium industry in NSW will be strongly challenged. We urge the NSW Government not to progress down the yellowcake road. ”
[1] http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/six-companies-invited-to-apply-for-right-to-explore-for-uranium-in-nsw-20140910-10ez6j.html#ixzz3CwlxtSF7
[2] http://uraniumfreensw.org.au/charter/
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