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| Australia's Ambassador in Vienna Mr David Stuart, visits ANSTO |
One is a picturesque community in Southern Sydney that is famous for its bays and beaches, the other is a centuries old city set amongst snow-capped mountains in Europe.
It may be half a world away, but there is a very strong and important link between Vienna and The Sutherland Shire, and that link is ANSTO.
The Vienna connection was on show this week, when Australia’s Ambassador in Vienna, Mr David Stuart, came to ANSTO for briefings on its latest environmental and health projects, as well as local efforts in relation to nuclear non-proliferation and regional training.
ANSTO’s Nadia Levin said the visit underlined the importance of the relationship between Australia and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), and the real world scenarios in which Australia’s expertise in the Shire stars on the world stage.
“ANSTO is Australia’s home of nuclear science and the custodian of much of our significant science infrastructure, including our only operational nuclear reactor, OPAL,” said Ms Levin.
“It is this infrastructure and expertise right here in the Sutherland Shire that guarantees Australia a seat at IAEA talks and negotiations.
“This role will only increase as we work on the ANSTO Nuclear Medicine project, through which we plan to help supply the world with potentially lifesaving nuclear medicine and, importantly, this will be done using proliferation proof Low Enriched Uranium.
“And as we demonstrate Synroc technology, an Australian invention to manage waste, we are paving the way for huge environmental gains overseas in countries with a need for a safe and economical way to effectively manage the other end of the nuclear fuel cycle.
“We’re very proud of the work that ANSTO does, and this visit was a great opportunity to demonstrate it and help broadcast our achievements to the world.”