Document
Index
1999-2000 Ministerial Statements
Investing in our Natural and
Cultural Heritage
Chapter 8
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Document
Index |
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The Bureau of Meteorology is responsible for the monitoring of Australia's weather and climate, research into meteorology of the Australian region and the provision of a wide range of services to the community and major user groups. Monitoring activities include the joint management (with CSIRO) of the Cape Grim Baseline Air Pollution Station. This station monitors concentrations of greenhouse gases and ozone depleting substances. The Bureau also monitors upper atmosphere ozone concentrations at other locations. The Bureau of Meteorology Research Centre contributes significantly to the international research effort aimed at increasing understanding and prediction of the global climate system. This research forms a major input to the internationally coordinated scientific assessment of climate change undertaken by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. The Bureau is providing input to the atmosphere component of the National State of Environment report scheduled for release in 2001 and is participating in the review process for the monitoring protocols of the National Environment Protection Council Measure for Ambient Air Quality. Services provided with the Bureau include public forecasts of an UV-B index based on a system jointly developed with the Cooperative Research Centre for Southern Hemisphere Meteorology. It also provides daily air pollution and air quality advice at a number of locations. Systems to enhance this advice are being developed in cooperation with other agencies.
Contact: Bureau of Meteorology -- 02 6274 1764
The Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) ensures that
the amount of airborne radioactive discharges from the Commonwealth's nuclear
installations are as low as reasonably achievable and that the risk of accidental airborne
releases of radioactive materials is within international standards. This involves the
monitoring and review of airborne discharges from nuclear installations and assessing the
risk of accidents that might lead to releases of radioactive materials to the environment.
As a result, routine airborne radioactive discharges from the Australian Nuclear Science
and Technology (ANSTO) reactor and nuclear facilities have been maintained at levels
comparable to similar facilities elsewhere and correspond to radiation doses to
individuals which are a small fraction of the national and international dose limits.
With the passing of the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Act 1998 (the
ARPANS Act), all Commonwealth entities involved in radiation and nuclear activities will
be required to hold a licence from ARPANSA to continue such activities. Requirements will
be imposed on licensees to ensure that airborne discharges are as low as reasonably
achievable, that discharge limits are met and that the safety of operations meet
international standards.
In 1998, the then Nuclear Safety Bureau (now ARPANSA) undertook an initial assessment of
the siting for the proposed ANSTO replacement research reactor. The assessment was
undertaken against international best practice and the Bureau's Safety Assessment
Principles and included advising the Commonwealth Government on the Environment Impact
Statement for the proposed reactor. ARPANSA will now undertake a detailed assessment of
the site before reaching a decision regarding the granting of a licence, under the ARPANSA
Act, for the siting of the reactor.
Contact: Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency -- 02 9524 1164
The Environmental and Radiation Health Branch of the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency conducts an environmental surveillance programme involving an Australia-wide network of air and rainfall sampling stations for monitoring radioactive fallout. The purpose of this network is to enable the detection of very low levels of radioactive contamination should they arise in the Australian environment from any local or overseas source. Also, under this programme, releases of radioactivity to the environment by the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation's facility are monitored and audited by the Environmental and Radiation Health Branch and reported annually, and annual inspections and environmental monitoring are conducted at the radioactive waste storage facilities at Woomera. In addition, the Branch conducts investigative research into radon and the behaviour of radioactive aerosols in the environment.
Contact: Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency -- 03 9433 2396
The Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency maintains a solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR) monitoring network covering the Australian capital cities, some major population centres and the Australian stations in Antarctica. The objective of this activity is to determine the character of the UVR environment and to assess the impact of depletion of the ozone layer on the UVR levels and its consequences for public health.
