Australian Submarine Agency Construction Licence Application - Controlled Industrial Facility
Feedback updated 20 Oct 2025
We asked
We asked for your feedback on the licence application from the Australian Submarine Agency (ASA) to construct a prescribed radiation facility, known as the Controlled Industrial Facility (CIF) at the existing navy base on Garden Island in Rockingham, WA. ARPANSA granted a siting licence for this facility in 2024, with the construction application being the second licence stage for the CIF. The CEO of ARPANSA again decided that while public consultation was not required under the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Act, it was appropriate given the public’s interest.
You said
We received 93 submissions from a range of stakeholders, including health professionals, environmental groups, workers and members of the general public. Concerns raised covered radiological safety of the facility for people and the environment, emergency response requirements, radiological environmental monitoring, waste transport, storage duration and the lack of a defined Commonwealth radioactive waste disposal pathway in Australia.
We did
We took into account all submissions related to the radiological safety of the CIF in our decision-making process. We analysed issues and concerns raised during the consultation and provided a response to demonstrate how relevant submissions were considered in the decision-making process. For issues outside of the scope of our consultation, we provided information on the appropriate authority to contact for further information. This summary is available on the ARPANSA website.
The consultation and consideration of all public submissions was an important component of ARPANSA’s multi-layered evaluation and review process, which also included comprehensive review, analysis and validation of all technical and management information submitted by the licence applicant (the ASA). The multi-layered process was managed by the primary assessment team who reviewed the whole licence application, seeking additional information, review and expert advice as required. The assessments and recommendations were then peer reviewed by senior scientists and regulators, before the Chief Executive Officer = made the licence decision. The ARPANSA CEO, or her delegate, will only grant a licence if there is confidence that stringent requirements have been met under the ARPANS Act and Regulations, that international best practice in radiological protection has been met, and that there is evidence that these requirements can continue to be met throughout the lifecycle of the facility.
Following comprehensive assessment of the application and consultation submissions, we found that the application provided sufficient evidence of the radiological safety of the proposed facility, and no submissions justified the refusal of the licence.
The application decision and our response to the public submissions can be found on the ARPANSA website.
Overview
Notice of intention to make a decision on a facility licence application
The CEO of ARPANSA hereby gives notice of her intention to make a decision under section 32 of the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Act 1998 (the Act) regarding the following application for a facility licence:
Application number: A01075
Applicant name: Australian Submarine Agency (ASA)
Name of facility: Controlled Industrial Facility
Type of facility: Prescribed Radiation Facility
Proposed location: HMAS Stirling, at Garden Island, Rockingham WA
Application type: Authorisation to construct a controlled facility.
Purpose of the facility
To provide low level radiological waste management and maintenance support to the Submarine Rotational Force-West (SRF-West) program. Note that the proposed facility will not be permitted to accept or manage intermediate level radiological waste, high level radiological waste or spent nuclear fuel.
This application is for the construction of the same facility in line with ARPANSA’s staged licensing approach.
Community information session
An online community information session was held on 2 July 2025 to share information on the proposed Controlled Industrial Facility and ARPANSAs licencing process. You can view a recording of the information session presentations here:
ARPANSA'S licensing process
ARPANSA's CEO Dr Gillian Hirth, AO explains ARPANSA's independent licensing and regulation process, in the video below, or you can read our fact sheet.
How to make a submission
The CEO of ARPANSA invites written comments from individuals, organisations and groups regarding the radiological safety of the proposed facility on people and the environment.
Comments can be submitted via the ‘Have your say’ link below. The CEO will take all relevant submissions into account before making a decision about whether or not to grant ASA a facility licence to construct the Controlled Industrial Facility.
Submissions must be received by 11:59 pm, Thursday 17 July 2025.
Please ensure to only make a single submission of the survey as multiple responses from individuals may not be considered.
Information about the ASA licence application is available in the documents linked below:
Construction Licence Application
ARPANSA licence submission overview
Effective Control Arrangements
Please also view our FAQ for more information on the scope of the submission and guidance on how to make a submission.
If you are unable to participate online, you can mail your submission to The CEO of ARPANSA, PO Box 655, MIRANDA NSW 1490. Please note, unless a mailed submission is clearly marked as ‘confidential’ it (or part of it) may be published on ARPANSA’s website and submissions received after the deadline may not be considered.
Why your views matter
ARPANSA is responsible for issuing and administering licences for radiation sources and facilities owned and operated by Commonwealth entities. All licence applications are subject to requirements relating to the protection of people and the environment from the harmful effects of radiation. As part of this process, we are seeking your feedback, to ensure opinions from local communities, workers, experts and the general public are considered in the decision making process.
Submissions received are reviewed along with application material to inform the CEO’s decision in relation to this licence application. Information about the decision and outcomes of this process will be published once available.
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