The Australian: Nuclear site left exposed at the back door [November 19, 2005]
The Australian: Nuclear site left exposed at the back door [November 19, 2005]: "Nuclear site left exposed at the back door
Jonathan Porter
November 19, 2005
THE back door to one of the nation's prime terrorist targets is protected by a cheap padlock and a stern warning against trespassing or blocking the driveway.
When The Weekend Australian visited the Lucas Heights nuclear reactor site this week, a reporter and a photographer were able to park a one-tonne white van outside the back gate for more than half an hour, much more time than would be required to use a pair of bolt-cutters to snap the padlock and drive the 800m or so to the reactor or the more vulnerable cooling towers.
However, Lucas Heights security managed a quicker response when the van was left close to the facility's gate on the New Illawarra Road.
Within two minutes, two heavily armed Australian Protective Services officers approached the van in a marked four-wheel-drive utility, and the reporting team were quickly reminded of the gravity of the current terror situation.
'We are currently on a heightened state of alert. I would not advise you to try this at night,' one APS officer said.
There was a new initiative in the war against terrorism yesterday when the Australian Federal Police announced it would join a new, regional anti-terrorism group to share intelligence and track cross-border movements.
AFP commissioner Mick Keelty said the AFP would also establish a Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Data Centre to overcome gaps and vulnerabilities.
"
Jonathan Porter
November 19, 2005
THE back door to one of the nation's prime terrorist targets is protected by a cheap padlock and a stern warning against trespassing or blocking the driveway.
When The Weekend Australian visited the Lucas Heights nuclear reactor site this week, a reporter and a photographer were able to park a one-tonne white van outside the back gate for more than half an hour, much more time than would be required to use a pair of bolt-cutters to snap the padlock and drive the 800m or so to the reactor or the more vulnerable cooling towers.
However, Lucas Heights security managed a quicker response when the van was left close to the facility's gate on the New Illawarra Road.
Within two minutes, two heavily armed Australian Protective Services officers approached the van in a marked four-wheel-drive utility, and the reporting team were quickly reminded of the gravity of the current terror situation.
'We are currently on a heightened state of alert. I would not advise you to try this at night,' one APS officer said.
There was a new initiative in the war against terrorism yesterday when the Australian Federal Police announced it would join a new, regional anti-terrorism group to share intelligence and track cross-border movements.
AFP commissioner Mick Keelty said the AFP would also establish a Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Data Centre to overcome gaps and vulnerabilities.
"
posted by Greta Jane at Saturday, November 19, 2005
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