According to a spokesperson, the waste was being transported from the Edinburgh RAAF to Woomera and was sealed in plastic-lined, 200 litre drums.

“The waste material was transported in daylight hours, using two trucks escorted by safety vehicles to the front and rear ... The route selected under the Transport Plan did pass through Port Augusta as it was the most direct path to Woomera,” the spokesperson said.

Port Augusta Mayor Joy Baluch last week said she was upset the Port Augusta City Council was not told the drums were being transported through the city and has written for the Minister of Defence, John Faulkner, asking for an explanation.

The spokesperson for the department said the licence of the Woomera Koolymilka site was publicly gazetted, however they do not publish the movement of radioactive materials for security seasons.

“The waste material was classified as ‘low to intermediate’ level radioactive waste and included items such as smoke detectors, small valves from radar and telecommunications equipment, and luminous dials from aircraft,” they said.

According to the Department, no other radioactive waste has been transported through Port Augusta in the last year.

The Koolymilka site in Woomera currently has a licence for storing, not disposing of, radioactives.

The revelation has cemented the resolve of a Port Augusta resident who wants Yorkey’s Crossing upgraded so trucks can detour around Port Augusta.