Radiological safety and future land use in the Monte Bello Islands

Nuclear weapons tests were carried out in the Monte Bello Islands by the United Kingdom in 1952 and 1956. These tests left some areas of radioactive contamination. For the purpose of the tests the islands were declared prohibited areas and this declaration has not been revoked. In 1978 the Australian Government considered that insufficient technical information was available on the radiological status of the test sites to enable proper consideration of the future management of the area and the Australian Ionising Radiation Advisory Council (AIRAC) was requested to advise on the need for a survey of the area. Subsequently it was agreed to survey the relevant areas of the islands for residual radioactive contamination. Information on the levels of radioactivity in the local environment and recommendations on the measures needed to ensure radiological safety in the area are provided