Sallys Flat north of Bathurst has been shortlisted as one of six possible sites to host the new dump, sparking anger across the local community.

Calare MP John Cobb has come under fire from constituents for supporting the proposal, while residents have also started a Facebook page to oppose bringing the waste dump to the central west and a an online petition atchange.org.

But Dr Geoff Currie, who is an Associate Professor in Medical Radiation Science at Charles Sturt University and Clinical Professor / Professor of Molecular Imaging at Macquarie University, said the waste posed no risk to the community.

Dr Currie said the stockpile of "legacy" waste, which is currently stored at 100 sites throughout the country, was the equivalent of two Olympic-sized swimming pools.

"There is no risk involved," he said.

"At the moment, some of this waste is stored in Australia's biggest population centre - Sydney.

"If there were any risks involved, it couldn't be housed in the middle of Sydney.

"It is designed to be disposed of and there is no risk to the community."

Twenty-eight landholders nominated their properties as potential sites for the facility.

Dr Currie said socio-economic, safety, equity and environmental factors were used in the assessment process to whittle this number down to the six shortlisted sites.

He said while he could not confirm the actual process, and was not involved in it, "there would have been initial community consultation where the owner [of the proposed site] would have consulted with their direct neighbours".

"There will now be a process of extensive community consultation as well as further analysis of costings, infrastructure and geological evaluations," he said.

Dr Currie said there would be benefits to the community during the construction phase of the facility in terms of jobs.