The Executive Director of ANSTO, Professor Helen Garnett, said the Government's positive decision to replace the HIFAR research reactor opened up exciting new opportunities for Australia's capabilities in neutron science, nuclear medicine, environmental science, education and industrial support.
Professor Garnett said Australian neutron science had relied for too long on continuous initiative triumphing over obsolete technology. The combination of four decades of experience and a modern research reactor will assure ANSTO's place as a national and regional centre for neutron science.
She said HIFAR is 1940s technology, designed for a time when scientists and engineers primarily used such research reactors to study the impact of radiation on materials to be used in nuclear power plants. Australian scientists and engineers contributed significantly to that nuclear science and technology information base.
"Half a century later, the basis of nuclear science and technology has changed," Professor Garnett said. "It is now a tool used to help develop new and emerging high technologies that can help underpin the economic and social potential of Australia.
"The capabilities of a modern research reactor will also keep Australia virtually self-sufficient in nuclear medicines and permit the development of new therapeutic and diagnostic substances.
The Department of Health and Family Services estimates that at a growth rate of 14 per cent per annum, about 1.5 million doses of nuclear medicines will be needed in Australia in 2007. This reactor, complemented by ANSTO's $20 million National Medical Cyclotron, will enable this demand to be met.
"As has been the case for more than 40 years, safety at ANSTO will continue to be paramount. Our current reactor, HIFAR, has had no adverse effect on our community since it began operating in January, 1958. A modern reactor will be inherently safer. We will continue to work with the community and regulators to ensure that all safety and environmental standards are met.
"ANSTO also looks forward to continuing its contribution to Government national interest matters in the nuclear field. A state of the art research reactor will allow Australia to keep fully abreast of developments in nuclear science, especially in the Asian region," she said.
"The replacement reactor will also ensure that a modern neutron source is available to students and researchers from universities in Australia and New Zealand."
Professor Garnett said the Government's decision to replace HIFAR provided greater surety for the jobs not only of ANSTO's 800 staff, but those of some 300 people employed by other businesses at Lucas Heights and of contractors who benefit from ANSTO.
More than 60% of ANSTO's staff live in Sutherland Shire, the northern Illawarra region or the eastern part of Liverpool Council's area. With a high percentage of its work force living in these neighbouring areas, and some $4 million a year spent by ANSTO with local businesses, the decision will see ANSTO remaining a significant contributor to its local economy.
"All of our staff are proud of the benefits their Organisation currently delivers to Australia in terms of nuclear medicine, environmental science and support for industry and education. This decision, which will allow the combining of long experience and new technology, delivers for them a forward vision for ANSTO for years to come," she said.
Two years ago ANSTO adopted the vision of nuclear science and technology being accepted as benefiting all Australians and for ANSTO be acknowledged as the premier nuclear science and technology organisation within the Asia Pacific region.
With a modern research reactor, it will work closely with Australian industry, universities and other government organisations to reinforce the benefits ANSTO can deliver to them and the wider community.
Professor Garnett said ANSTO welcomed the decision by the Government to establish the new nuclear regulatory body, the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency, which will provide an appropriate framework for future nuclear activities.
ANSTO welcomes the decision to return HIFAR spent fuel to the USA and the UK and the commitment to an investigation of Synroc for the safe handling of research reactor fuel in the future.