The Commonwealth Radioactive Waste Management Facility will be designed to contain waste to ensure the safety of people and the environment.
Low level and short-lived intermediate radioactive waste
Two management options are proposed for low level and short-lived intermediate level radioactive wastes (hereafter referred to as 'low level waste'). The chosen option will depend on the characteristics of the host site.
Should the host site prove suitable, low level waste will be disposed of in a near-surface repository. A near-surface repository consists of a shallow trench, 15 to 20 metres below grade, in which waste is placed. Once the trench is full, at least five metres of cover is placed over the waste. The cover is designed to prevent the ingress of water into the disposal trench, and will consist of materials such as clayey soil and plastic sheeting. A five metre deep cover also prevents the waste being exposed, during the time it remains potentially hazardous, as a result of natural processes such as erosion.
Should the host site not prove suitable for a repository, low level waste will be stored above ground in a purpose built storage building.
Long-lived intermediate level radioactive waste
Long-lived intermediate level radioactive waste (hereafter referred to as 'intermediate level waste') is not suitable for near-surface disposal. Accordingly, intermediate level waste will be stored above ground in a purpose built store.
Concept designs