ANSTO works closely with emergency services, and the Rural Fire Service has advised no current risk to ANSTO as a result of fires near our Lucas Heights campus.
ANSTO has opened the ANSTO café to all RFS and Emergency Service workers and is providing access to water and other facilities to support emergency operations. The motel at Lucas Heights is also offering accommodation for emergency workers.
ANSTO infrastructure including the OPAL reactor is protected by numerous fire safety systems, policies, plans and arrangements to ensure there is never any risk to operations or safety. The OPAL reactor is at power and operating normally.
ANSTO staff are working hard to ensure continuation of nuclear medicine supplies, at this stage producing and distributing nuclear medicines as per normal.
Some 1,200 people work at the Lucas Heights campus. Based on current advice and to minimise local road and traffic impactsall ANSTO staff not performing essential services have been advised to work from home, and all staff will be advised later today of the plans for tomorrow.
At this stage, we can confirm that the ANSTO KU childcare centre will be closed today and tomorrow, and the school holiday workshops and tours for today and tomorrow have been cancelled as well.
ANSTO are in frequent contact with the Rural Fire Service and, based on their advice, later today we will decide whether these actions need to be extended to later in the week.
ANSTO would like to take the opportunity to thank the emergency services and support staff who are continuing to assist on this matter.