Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1697631054246.pdf (Australia)
Attachment A – Objectives and Criteria A.1 For the purposes of delivering against the Australian Government’s commitment and providing transparency, six key Objectives have been identified as being important in the process of identifying a possible site for the facility.

Specifically for phase 1 (site identification phase), these six Objectives are underpinned by 25 assessment Criteria.
The Objectives are: Community Well Being, Equity, Stable Environment, Environmental Protection, Health, Safety and Security, Economic Viability.

A.2 The Criteria that will be applied in evaluating Nominated sites during the site identification phase are set out in the table below.

In addition, an indication of the Relative Importance of the Objectives to the assessment is given as either “High”, “Medium” or “Low”.
This relative importance or weight to be attached to the identified Objectives and hence Criteria, reflects this early stage of the Project and is provided here for transparency.

A.3 The Department will undertake a desktop review of available national data sources in relation to the Objectives and Criteria when evaluating the nominated sites.

Nominators do not need to provide information against the Criteria and Objectives, however any information provided will be considered.
A.4 A geographic information system and existing databases available to the Government will be used to obtain data and assess against most criteria.

Nominations which are accompanied by documentation which provides evidence of local community awareness of and support for the Nomination will be considered favourably.

Nominations can include other relevant information or documentation to assist in the assessment of their Nomination.
Rationale Behind the Objectives A.5 At the site identification phase, there will be a focus on ensuring that any potential site will have minimal negative impact on nearby communities, while at the same time ensuring that they benefit from the placement of the facility.

A.6 Environmental protection is an essential and significant consideration for the Project.
The Project will require regulatory assessment under the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 and consideration by the Minister for the Environment.

The EPBC Act will provide a ‘whole of environment’ assessment and detailed environmental Attachment A – Objectives and Criteria | March 2015 page 1 Selection process for a national radioactive waste management facility in South AustraliaSubmission 46 - Attachment 5 studies of any site selected for the Project.
A lower weighting is applied at the site identification phase as detailed information to support this assessment will not be available until phase 2 (the site selection phase) and a comprehensive assessment will be made at this stage.

A.7 Health, safety and security objectives are of the highest priority for the Project.

These Objectives will largely be addressed though the development of a safety case for the site, construction and operating licencing phases of the project.
These phases will involve licence applications through the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) and the Australian Safeguards and Non-Proliferation Office (ASNO).

A lower weighting is applied at the site identification phase reflecting these subsequent regulatory processes.

A.8 The relative importance of the Objectives at this Phase of the Project reflects the fact that detailed environmental assessments and safety analyses will be carried out at a later stage.
These aspects of the assessment will become of particular importance when the facility’s specific location and its detailed engineering design is being considered.

In relation to both Objectives, the Government will need to obtain more information for a site than is possible during this Phase 1 site identification phase.

Objectives Criteria Community Well Being  What is the separation distance from nature conservation    reserves, water supply reserves or parks?
Is the site located on or near high value natural resources (incl.

farming, mineral, water or other resources)?

Is the site located within an area that is likely to be expanded upon for community or industrial use or for natural/agricultural use in the foreseeable future?

Is the site located in an area where development may impact culture and history?

Equity  What is the distance radioactive waste would need to be transported to the site from all current and future sources?
 What is the distance to the nearest community which could receive benefits from the construction and operation of the facility?

Is there evidence of potential local community support or opposition for the facility?
 Attachment A – Objectives and Criteria | March 2015 Weighting for Site Selection phase High High page 2 Selection process for a national radioactive waste management facility in South AustraliaSubmission 46 - Attachment 5 Stable Environment  What is the separation distance to areas subject to known or anticipated extreme events?

 What is the annual rainfall and rainfall pattern at the site?

 What is the separation distance from known or anticipated seismic or tectonic activity?
 What is the separation distance from known or anticipated volcanic activity?

 What is the separation distance from known or anticipated major geological faults?

 What is the separation distance from an area known for erosion or at risk of future erosion?

 What is the separation distance from areas known to be flooded or have held surface water?

 What is the adjacent population density?

 What is the separation distance from an existing permanent residence (other than that of the Nominator)?
 What is the separation distance from an area that is likely to experience significant population growth in the future?

 What is the separation distance from any lake, river,  stream, swamp, soakage or aquifer?

Is the site in an area of national environmental significance such as world or national heritage places, Ramsar wetlands, listed threatened species and ecological communities, protected migratory species, Commonwealth marine areas?
 What is the separation distance from existing or likely future community or industrial developments?

 What is the separation distance from existing accesses or pathways that could be used as an access by potentially disruptive parties?

 To what extent does the site location add a premium to the construction and operational cost?

 To what extent does the site have reasonable access for the transport of radioactive waste into and out of the site from all current and future Australian sources?
 To what extent does the site location add a premium to the purchase cost?

Medium Medium Low Low Environmental Protection Health, Safety and Security Economic Viability Attachment A – Objectives and Criteria | March 2015 page 3 Selection process for a national radioactive waste management facility in South AustraliaSubmission 46 - Attachment 5