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Nuclear waste and schools don't mix: Parents want answers on radioactive waste transport routes

Parents For Climate

Advocacy group Parents for Climate says parents want to know how the risks of nuclear waste being transported past schools and child care centres will be managed by Peter Dutton if nuclear reactors proposed by the Coalition are built.

[EDITORS NOTE: PLEASE SEE LOCAL PARENTS MOBILE NUMBERS BELOW IN RED FOR ALL 7 SITES]

Parents for Climate CEO Nic Seton said, “Nuclear waste isn’t child’s play.

“Trucks crash every day in Australia. Where is the plan to keep our kids safe from truckloads of nuclear material? How will the risks of trucking nuclear fuel and radioactive waste be managed as these trucks pass the places where our kids learn and play? What kind of trucks will be used? How will they be reinforced? Why isn’t the cost of this included in the Frontier modelling report which the Coalition keeps talking about? 

“Parents who live along these routes deserve answers, not political spin and politicians dodging questions. My own family live and learn near these roads. With just a few days of polling left, we’ve had enough of being told ‘we’ll tell you after the election’.”

Enriched and volatile uranium for the nuclear reactors proposed by the Coalition would need to travel from ports to reach the reactor sites. After use, it’s likely the nuclear waste would then return to those ports via the same routes for reprocessing overseas, before traveling back to be stored at the reactor sites, although the Coalition hasn’t provided detail on any of this.

Parents for Climate’s analysis shows that the likely transport routes go past schools and childcare centres, including through the heart of Peter Dutton’s own electorate of Dickson.

Wynnum West mum, Robyn Gulliver, says there hasn’t been enough information about how the risks of transporting nuclear fuel past schools will be managed.

“Where is the detail?

“Driving nuclear waste past schools and childcare centres feels risky.

“If a nuclear reactor gets built in Tarong, as Peter Dutton says he wants, that nuclear fuel will come through the Port of Brisbane. And my son’s school is just a 10 minute walk from the fuel transport route.”

“How are they going to make sure it’s safe? No-one’s told us.”

“If they think this plan is good for Australian families they need to show they’ve done the planning to protect our kids from the risks. If they’ve done it, why aren’t they telling us?”

From mine to refinement to use and waste: 

Uranium is dug out of the ground at the Olympic uranium mine in South Australia, then transported by road and rail to Port Adelaide and shipped overseas for processing. 

The uranium, in the form of fuel rods, is then shipped back to the Australian ports nearest to the nuclear sites proposed by the Coalition - for example Port Botany for Mt Piper, or Port of Melbourne for the Latrobe Valley. The fuel rods are then transported to the nuclear plant from the port, probably by road.

Jenna Condie, mum of two, lives in Woodford near the likely route fuel would take from Port Botany to Mt Piper, and says the road is already dangerous.

“There’s one highway through the part of the Blue Mountains where I live, and next year my eldest child will go to a school right on it - Hazelbrook Public School. Can Mr Dutton guarantee no nuclear waste truck will ever have an accident?

“I already worry a lot about the highway, because it is nearly impossible to avoid it in everyday life here. It’s so busy and dangerous with residential roads and houses entering onto an 80km road with poor visibility. Serious accidents happen here all the time.”

“If the Coalition builds a nuclear reactor at Mt Piper, that highway is also the one road where any nuclear fuel is likely to be transported. How do they plan to manage the risks?”

When the fuel rods are spent they are then transported from the nuclear plant back to the port they entered through, probably by road. Then the spent fuel rods and any contaminated equipment are shipped overseas, probably to France, for reprocessing. The reprocessed material is then shipped back to Australia for storage onsite at the nuclear plant that used them until a permanent waste site is found. 

Mr Seton said where children are involved even small risks need analysis and mitigation plans.

“It is unclear if the Coalition has spoken to experts about the transportation risks. Have they talked to the emergency services workers, nurses, firies, and others that would need to respond to an emergency?”

In January 2023, a tiny 8mm by 6mm radioactive capsule went missing, somewhere along a 1400 kilometre journey from Rio Tinto’s Gudai-Darri iron ore mine to its final destination in Perth, Western Australia.

The cost of the 5 day search has never been revealed, however Rio Tinto donated a $4 million work camp to the Western Australian Government in lieu of paying for it.

The loss triggered an alert from WA authorities warning of radioactive substance risk.

If there is an accident involving the handling or transport of uranium, the environment could be exposed to high levels of uranium that settles into the water, the soil and the plants. 

Humans who have ingested or inhaled uranium have developed kidney damage. There is also evidence to suggest that uranium can enter the brain and cause neurobehavioral problems like anxiety, memory, sleep-wake cycles and locomotor activity.

Additional quotes

Jayla Parkin, mum of two (4 and 1), Collie WA (available for interview)

“Nobody has answered my questions about the transport of nuclear waste through our small town. If Mr Dutton builds a reactor at Muja, any fuel for it would have to come via Coalfields highway - the one big road in and out of Collie. It’s right through the guts of the town.”

“My four year old daughter is starting kindy in Collie, just one block away from that road. That’s just too close for comfort.”

“I’ve done all the research I can and gone to all the information nights I can to find out what this proposed reactor will mean for our community. And transport is something I’ve never managed to get a straight answer on.”

“I’m so sick of them trying to hide everything. They think we’re small town idiots and our views don’t matter. But it’s our community and we deserve to know what they’re signing us up for.”

James Pedersen, dad of two (kids 8 and 11) in Newcastle (available for interview)

“The Coalition's proposed nuclear power station in Liddell is unviable since the New England Highway will need to be regularly shut down to transport nuclear waste either through Muswellbrook or Singleton. 

Furthermore it is impossible to provide complete assurance that Muswellbrook Public School and Singleton Heights Public School will be kept safe from the deadly hazard of nuclear waste posed by the passing waste trucks.”

Tash Hughes, mum of two, Ashwood VIC (available for interview)

Kids at Ashwood High and Alia College

“How can any Australian think it is ok to put our children at risk by transporting nuclear fuels or by-products near schools? Saying it is safe to drive past simply ignores the possibility of accidents or poorly maintained transport vehicles. 

Nuclear power is unnecessary here and the risk to our children and their children's children is too large. Starting this now is creating headaches for all future generations. We can't risk it.”

Ann, mum of primary school aged kids, in Mount Waverley VIC (can do audio interview but not video or photos)

"It's a real kick in the teeth to work so hard to keep our children safe and healthy, only to see that our family's tax dollars could go toward funding something that could potentially harm them. 

“There is no way Peter Dutton can guarantee any handling or transportation accidents of uranium won't enter our waterways, soil, plants, and maybe even the food system. Once exposed, the damage is forever

“And for what? Profit? The illusion of stopping 'the lights going out' as part of a scare campaign? 

“No money or fear mongering over energy scarcity is enough to make me want to sign my children up for a lifetime of damaged health, much less foot the bill for that to happen."

About Parents for Climate:

Parents for Climate represents over 24,000 parents, grandparents and carers from Australia. We are Australia’s leading organisation for people who care about a safe future for kids and advocating for a safe climate. Our supporters come from across the political spectrum, all Australian electorates, and from a wide range of socio-economic backgrounds. We seek non-partisan responses to climate change and its impacts. 

We advocate for Australian governments and businesses to take urgent action to cut Australia’s carbon emissions to net zero as quickly as possible. We encourage Australia to demonstrate leadership on the world stage through positive and proactive domestic action and calling for other nations to take the necessary steps to protect our children’s futures. For more information, visit www.parentsforclimate.org 

Media Contact:

Michael Pulsford, Parents for Climate campaign manager, 0418 326 814 / [email protected]

Case study contacts

Dr Robyn Gulliver, Wynnum West QLD (Tarong-Port of Brisbane route) 0404 495 358

Jenna Condie, Woodford NSW (Mt Piper-Port Botany route) 0435 723 555

Jayla Parkin, Collie WA (Muja-Bunbury route) 0483 176 917

James Pedersen, Newcastle NSW (Liddell-Newcastle route) 0425 258 089

Tash Hughes, Ashwood VIC (Loy Yang-Port Melbourne route) 0428 376 110

Ann, Mt Waverley VIC (Loy Yang-Port Melbourne route)  0421 473 961

 

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Appendix: Methodology, Maps and School names

The following maps and school details have been obtained by considering the example of Lucas Heights – whilst the routes are officially secret there have been many leaks from those living along the route. The rods and waste for Lucas Heights is transported by road, using the quickest and most direct route, utilising major roads.

The maps were developed utilising Google Maps and Google AI using the name of the nearest port and the name of the proposed nuclear site. The location of schools was obtained by utilising the search terms “school”, “pre-school”, “kindergarten” and “college” and “within 1km of the route”. A check was then undertaken to confirm the school was within 1km of the route.

The routes with the largest number of schools are Port of Brisbane to Tarong Power Station, Port Botany to Mount Piper and Port of Melbourne to Loy Yang Power Station. Please follow the map link to find details of the schools for these routes, other routes school details appear in the appendix..

 

SCHOOLS ON THE ROUTE – PORT OF BRISBANE TO TARONG POWER STATION

CHILDCARE CENTRES ON THE ROUTE – PORT OF BRISBANE TO TARONG POWER STATION

SCHOOLS ON THE ROUTE – PORT OF BOTANY TO MOUNT PIPER POWER STATION

CHILDCARE CENTRES ON THE ROUTE – PORT OF BOTANY TO MOUNT PIPER POWER STATION

SCHOOLS ON THE ROUTE – PORT OF MELBOURNE TO LOY YANG POWER STATION

CHILDCARE CENTRES ON THE ROUTE – PORT OF MELBOURNE TO LOY YANG POWER STATION

Port of Gladstone to Callide in Queensland, west of Gladstone

State Schools – 2

Preschools/Kindergartens – 4

High Schools/Colleges - 2

In addition, a number of schools are within 7km of the route.

SCHOOLS AND PRESCHOOLS ON THE ROUTE – PORT OF GLADSTONE  TO CALLIDE OWERE STATION 

(Source: Google Maps)

 

Port of Newcastle to Liddell in NSW, in the Hunter Valley

Schools near route:

Public Schools – 7

Preschools – 7

High Schools - 2

In addition, a number of schools are within 7km of the route.

SCHOOLS AND PRESCHOOLS ON THE ROUTE – PORT OF NEWCASTLE TO LIDDELL POWER STATION

(Source; Google)

Port Augusta in SA

Assuming the proposed site is the Port Augusta power station it will be collocated with the Port of Playford, currently being developed as the main shipping port for Port Augusta. Therefore no schools would be passed.

Southern Ports Bunbury to Muja in WA, near Collie

Schools near the route:

Public/Primary Schools – 3

Preschool/Kindergarten – 3

High Schools/Colleges - 2

In addition, a number of schools are within 7km of the route.

SCHOOLS AND PRESCHOOLS ON THE ROUTE – SOUTHERN PORTS BUNBURY TO MUJA POWER STATION NEAR COLLIE

(Source: Google)

Appendix 2:

Port of Gladstone to Callide in Queensland, west of Gladstone

Dawson Hwy/State Route 60 - Gladstone Ports Corporation - 40 Goondoon St, Gladstone Central QLD 4680 - Take Lord St to Hanson Rd/State Route 58 - Follow Dawson Hwy/State Route 60 to Biloela Callide Rd in Mount Murchison - Follow Biloela Callide Rd to Callide Power Station - 959 Biloela Callide Rd, Mount Murchison QLD 4715

Schools near the route:

Gladstone Central State School – Auckland Street Gladstone – 4680

Gladstone Central Preschool - 99 Auckland St, Gladstone Central QLD 4680

Midcity College - 26 Goondoon St, Gladstone Central QLD 4680

Kookaburra Creek Kindergarten - 28 Anderson St, Clinton QLD 4680

Calliope State School - 14 Stirrat St, Calliope QLD 4680

Calliope State High School - 55 Don Cameron Drive Calliope QLD 4680

Calliope Kindergarten – Menzies Street - Calliope QLD 4680

Goodstart Early Learning – Morris Avenue - Calliope QLD 4680

 

Port on Newcastle to Liddell in NSW, in the Hunter Valley

via M15 and New England Hwy/A15 - 

Port of Newcastle - Take Hunter St to Donald St/A15 - Follow A15, M15 and New England Hwy/A15 to Muswellbrook. Take the exit from New England Hwy/A15 - Liddell Power Station - Muswellbrook NSW 2333

Schools near route:

Newcastle East Public School - 48 Brown St, The Hill NSW 2300

Hamilton North Public School – 30 Jackson St, Hamilton North NSW 2292

Lambton Public School - 18-30 Croudace St, Lambton NSW 2299 

Jesmond Public School = 16 Ralph St, Jesmond NSW 2299

Macquarie College Preschool - 182/222 Lake Rd, Wallsend NSW 2287

Wallsend Public School - 26 Martindale St, Wallsend NSW 2287

Kurri Kurri & District Preschool - Tarro Rd &, Boundary St, NSW 2327

Weston Community Preschool - 22 Scott St, Weston NSW 2326

Branxton Preschool - 13 John St, Branxton NSW 2335

The Cottage Preschool & Early Learning Centre - 1764 Wine Country Dr, North Rothbury NSW 2325

King Street Public school - King St, Singleton NSW 2330

Singleton Public School - 8 Hunter St, Singleton NSW 2330

Singleton High School - 75-81 York St, Singleton NSW 2330

Australian Christian College- 109-129 Kelso St, Singleton NSW 2330

Rosary Park Catholic School - 36 Station St, Branxton NSW 2335

The Cottage Pre-school and Early Learning Centre - 1764 Wine Country Dr, North Rothbury NSW 2325

Singleton Preschool - 56 York St, Singleton NSW 2330

 

Southern  Ports Bunbury to Muja in WA, near Collie

via Coalfields Rd/State Route 107 - via Mungalup Rd - via Ferguson Rd

Schools near the route:

Southwest Community College - 56 Wittenoom St, Bunbury WA 6230

Goodstart Early Learning East Bunbury - 17 Herbert Rd, East Bunbury WA 6230

Grace Christian School - 22 Vittoria Rd, Bunbury WA 6230

Eaton Primary School - 35 Diadem St, Eaton WA 6232

Bush Kids Child Care & Early Learning - 5 Millard St, Eaton WA 6232

Picton Primary School - Picton Primary School, 125 Jeffrey Rd, Glen Iris WA 6230

Collie Senior High School - 76 Wittenoom St, Collie WA 6225

Leaps and Bounds Pre-school - 128 Jeffrey Rd, Glen Iris WA 6230

 

Port of Brisbane to Tarong Power station

Port of Brisbane

Follow Port Dr to M4 in Lytton - 5 min (5.1 km)

Continue on M4. Take M1 to Caboolture Bypass/D'Aguilar Hwy/State Route 85 in Caboolture. Take exit 152B from M1 - 39 min (57.2 km)

Continue onto Caboolture Bypass/D'Aguilar Hwy/State Route 85

Continue to follow D'Aguilar Hwy/State Route 85 - 38 min (50.1 km)

Turn left onto D'Aguilar Hwy/Mary St/State Route 85

Continue to follow D'Aguilar Hwy - 56 min (79.5 km)

Continue on Berlin Rd to your destination in Tarong - 10 min (11.4 km)

Tarong Power Station

1225 Nanango Tarong Road, Tarong QLD 4615

 

Port Botany to Mount Piper Power Station

Port Botany

Get on M8 in Newtown from Foreshore Rd and Qantas Dr - 17 min (12.7 km)

Follow M4 and Great Western Hwy/A32 to Castlereagh Hwy in Marrangaroo. Take the Castlereagh Hwy exit from Great Western Hwy/A32 - 1 hr 57 min (144 km)

Continue on Castlereagh Hwy to your destination in Blackmans Flat - 11 min (13.7 km)

Mount Piper Power Station

LOT 363 Boulder Rd, Blackmans Flat NSW 2790

 

Port of Melbourne to Loy Yang Power Station

Port Melbourne

Get on M1 in South Wharf from Williamstown Rd and Normanby Rd - 7 min (2.9 km)

Follow M1 to Tramway Rd/C474 in Morwell. Take the C474 exit from M1 - 1 hr 36 min (153 km)

Follow C475 and Hyland Hwy/C482 to your destination in Loy Yang - 12 min (14.1 km)

Loy Yang A Power Station

Loy Yang VIC 3844