The Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO), has welcomed todays decision by the CEO of the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) to grant a licence to allow it to proceed with the construction of Australias Replacement Research Reactor (RRR), albeit subject to a broad range of conditions.
The decision follows a series of exhaustive public inquiries that have been held over more than ten years and is yet another milestone in the planned progression of the overall project due for completion in 2005.
ANSTO Chief Executive Officer, Professor Helen Garnett, said that: "The Licence to Construct is significant not only for scientists and researchers, but for all Australians. The Replacement Research Reactor will ensure that Australia continues to receive medical services of a first-world standard, remains at the cutting edge of new and emerging technologies, and continues to play an important role in regional nuclear affairs.
"The reliable delivery of isotopes for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer and other diseases is only one of the benefits of the Replacement ResearchReactor. However, on current projections, every Australian can expect to use ANSTO products for this purpose at some time in their lives," Professor Garnett said.
"The RRR also means that Australia can keep up with medical research and be able to provide new reactor-produced treatments, such as magic bullet or new targeted style treatments of cancer, that are being intensively researched around the world," Professor Garnett said.
"This Replacement Research Reactor will provide a once-in-a-generation opportunity for Australian scientists to examine the nature of matter and performance of nano-materials and engineered structures," Professor Garnett said. "The new facility will have enormous potential for unlocking knowledge associated with biotechnology, engineering, materials, nanoscience, and environmental science, just to name a few areas of research.
We can expect that this world-class source of cold neutrons will become a hub of activity for scientists from around the world seeking to perform collaborative work."
The RRR was first announced on 3 September 1997 and since then, ANSTO has worked hard to ensure not only that all recommendations by government and the nuclear regulatory body, the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Authority (ARPANSA), are met, but also that ANSTOs own high standards of safety and accountability are adhered to at all times.
Professor Garnett stated that ANSTO would examine the detailed conditions set by the CEO of ARPANSA, some of which applied to government rather than ANSTO, and would provide a detailed response as soon as possible. The project will also ensure that Sydney remains one of the premier nuclear science research centres in the Asia-Pacific region and NSW as one of the worlds foremost regions of scientific learning.
Professor Garnett paid tribute to the hard work and application of those ANSTO staff, past and present, who were involved in all stages of the project leading to the position we are in today as the proud holders of a construction licence. Work is expected to start on the project almost immediately.