The results from a national phone survey show clear public support for ANSTO in its endeavours to achieve excellence in the field of nuclear science and technology. One of the key messages conveyed from respondents in the 2010 survey, commissioned by ANSTO, was that Australia should have a national nuclear science centre and that the organisation should provide advice on nuclear issues.
Nearly 90 per cent of respondents in the Sutherland Shire, south-west Sydney, where ANSTO is situated, said they felt safe having Australia’s only nuclear research reactor, OPAL in their backyard. 74 per cent of Sutherland respondents also said that ANSTO was innovative and they understood that nuclear medicine production was part of the organisation’s operations.
ANSTO CEO, Dr Adi Paterson said, “These results show Australians really value the benefits that nuclear science delivers to the community. Whether it is producing nuclear medicines for treatment and diagnosis of illnesses or using nuclear science techniques to find new ways to tackle climate change, ANSTO is providing a vital service and this survey shows people are well aware of that.”
Around 1,000 Australians from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide were surveyed in the poll which followed on from previous surveys in 2003-04 and 2007 on community attitudes towards nuclear science. Questions ranged from the view of the safety of ANSTO, the use of nuclear science to solve environmental issues and perceptions of the role of the organisation. The 2010 survey results show the strong level of support for nuclear science has remained steady since the 2007 survey.
Also highlighted is the need for more education about nuclear science issues with 48 per cent of respondents believing that natural background radiation is hazardous.
“Our goal at ANSTO is to not only improve the quality of life for Australians through nuclear science and technology, but to engage the community about these benefits and facts about nuclear in general. These survey results will help us strengthen our education programs to ensure all Australians realise the value of a national treasure that ANSTO represents ,” Dr Paterson said.
Published: 24/03/2011