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    ANSTO research infrastructure decadal plan 2022-2032
    (Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, 2022-01) Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation
    The ANSTO research infrastructure portfolio comprises capital investment in the region of AU $1 billion, more than 350 employees and contractors, and an extensive array of operating systems and procedures that supported more than 8,000 users over the 2019-2021 period. As we enter the second decade of the 21st century and global and domestic challenges are clearly identified, it is essential that the excellence of ANSTO’s capabilities is sustained and benefit to the nation remains front of mind. In the context of nuclear science and technology, there is now a range of nationally significant programs that will be developed over the course of the next ten years. These include the establishment of a national radioactive waste management facility by the Australian Radioactive Waste Authority (ARWA) and the design, build and operation of a new nuclear medicine manufacturing facility at Lucas Heights. The biggest “game changer”, however, will be the establishment of a nuclear powered submarine fleet for the Royal Australian Navy along with all associated technologies and capabilities. Maximising utilisation, continuous improvement and predictable operation of infrastructure, together with developing expert staff who are focused on research support, is critical to strengthening the science and technology standing of the nation. With a long and successful track record, ANSTO has the demonstrated capability to inform and support long range planning for future landmark and national capabilities. To this end, this document is ANSTO’s first Research Infrastructure Decadal Plan. This Decadal Plan was developed in consultation with our staff, users, partners and clients. It considers the environment within which ANSTO, as a Publicly Funded Research Agency (PFRA), operates and was informed by current and emerging science, research, policy, innovation challenges, as well as technology drivers. It is aligned and coincides with the Commonwealth Government’s 2021 National Research Infrastructure Roadmap process. The value of long-term strategic planning of research infrastructure of any scale has been demonstrated for many years. The benefits include planned strategic investment into facilities that enable research across priority areas, predictable funding to sustain operations, and investment in workforce to drive utilisation, impact and benefits. Much of ANSTO’s multi-disciplinary research infrastructure has evolved over many decades in line with changing research drivers and needs inside and outside ANSTO. The Decadal Plan looks towards future development and invites us to keep scanning the horizon for opportunities beyond the next decade. Growing, developing, and improving our research infrastructure happens deliberately and with intent. The Decadal Plan recognises this and seeks to understand the drivers that will spur our growth. It expresses those drivers through priority areas where we need to focus our efforts over the next ten years and allows us to plan our development to achieve sustainable funding. Our people are core to our infrastructure. The Decadal Plan brings ANSTO’s people into focus to support them in growing together across our buildings and campuses, recognises the unique contribution they make, and nurtures their growth and development. ANSTO’s research infrastructure is embedded in Australia’s scientific infrastructure framework, including strategic planning of national capabilities and connects us to the world with high visibility. The Decadal Plan sets us on a path to increase this visibility and provides a roadmap for our future growth and development, enabling the ANSTO Vision to be achieved by positioning ANSTO as key to Australia’s research and innovation ecosystem.