From 18/04/2006:
Dear
Thank you for your email dated 23 January 2006 forwarded from the Office of the Minister for Transport and Main Roads, regarding non-nuclear areas in Brisbane.
As this matter falls within the responsibility of my portfolio, your email was forwarded to my office for a direct reply.
The Executive Director, Counter Disaster and Rescue Services has advised that the Brisbane City Council erected "nuclear free city" signs at strategic locations around the city approximately 15 years ago. There are eight signs remaining and they come under the jurisdiction of the Brisbane City Council.
The Australian Government is responsible for agreeing to visits by Nuclear Powered Warships (NPW) of foreign allied countries. NPW belonging to France, United Kingdom and the United States of America have visited various ports in Australia, including Queensland since the early 1970s without incident. Visits to Australian ports by conventionally powered or nuclear powered vessels of allied nations are one of the most visible means of demonstrating Australia's commitment to defence cooperation agreements with those nations. For this reason, it is the Australian Government's policy that these visits be welcomed.
Visit arrangements to Queensland are mandated by the Department of Defence document OPSMAN 1 and is the responsibility of the Nuclear Powered Warship Visits Committee, chaired by the Deputy Executive Director, Counter Disaster and Rescue Services.
The Australian Government requires that a comprehensive radiation-monitoring program be conducted in association with each NPW visit to detect any release of radioactivity to the ports and their environs. No release of radioactive material has ever been detected, nor was any radiation level recorded in excess of normal background levels of ionising radiation, either during or subsequent to these visits.
Should you require further information please contact Mr Trevor Leverington, Acting Director, Disaster Operations on telephone number (07) 3109 5098 who will be pleased to assist.
Yours sincerely
Hon Pat Purcell MP
Minister for Emergency Services