Adelaide has firmly rejected hosting nuclear waste from Australia’s AUKUS submarines.  

The City of Port Adelaide Enfield has unanimously opposed plans to manage low-level nuclear waste at the Osborne naval shipyard, 25 kilometres from Adelaide’s central business district. 

The proposal is part of the Australian Naval Nuclear Power Safety Bill, passed by Parliament in October, which designates Osborne and HMAS Stirling, near Perth, as radioactive waste management sites.  

Mayor Claire Boan stated the council was not consulted before or after the bill was passed.

“While the decision-making regarding this is out of the control of the council, we will continue to advocate for our community and lobby for community consultation throughout the process,” she told reporters.

Former South Australian independent senator Rex Patrick has criticised the secrecy surrounding site selection. 

No public announcements have clarified how sites for higher-level waste management are chosen, despite Australia’s commitment to domestic disposal under the AUKUS agreement signed in March 2023.  

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