There is the usual uproar over disposal of soil contaminated with uranium from a choice site in Hunters Hill. Years ago uranium was processed on this site and now it could be sold for millions - if the renovation is proceeded with.
The problem is the NIMBY syndrome. Utter that word " uranium " - or the other one - " radioactive " - and everyone jumps for cover.
The suggestion of delivering this soil to a landfill in the western suburbs was all about keeping costs down - and it was not a good idea. When landfills reach their use-by date they are usually converted into a golf course or some other recreational activity - and that is not a good place to store dangerous material.
We live on a huge continent and only use less than ten percent of it for living space. Surely finding a remote spot to store the small amount of radioactive material we generate from our Lucas Heights reactor and from hospital procedures should not be a problem.
It seems that this has been shelved because our timid politicians want to please everybody. It is time that the hard decisions were taken - and then there would be a natural solution to the disposal of items such as this soil from Hunters Hill.
Otherwise - this problem will repeat and repeat - time and time again into the future !
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