Hugh McDermott for Prospect

A new report from the Grattan Institute's Energy program, Putting the customer back in front: how to make electricity cheaper, presents a concrete set of proposals for substantially reducing the power bills of Australian households.

At a public meeting in Penrith last night, Western Sydney residents have expressed alarm at Barry O'Farrell's decision to dump 5000 tonnes of radioactive waste at Kemps Creek – a stunning breach of his promise before the 2011 election.

Newly released documents reveal the O'Farrell Government is dumping radioactive waste - which needs to be monitored for the next 300 years - in Western Sydney.

The government's report into moving the waste reveals:

"Long term management and monitoring (and associated funding) arrangements would need to be implemented at the disposal site for at least 300 years." *

by Luke Foley

 Nine days ago I visited the Putty Valley and met with local residents.

 The Putty Valley is mid way between Windsor and Singleton, nestled between the Wollombi and Yengo national parks, and within the electoral district of Upper Hunter and the local government area of Singleton.