Community participation

At public meetings held every six months, any matters of interest can be raised by members of the public. These gatherings are attended by ANSTO experts who give presentations on ANSTO's latest activities and answer questions from attendees.

The span of subjects explored at these meetings has included:

• procedures for decommissioning previously used reactors at Lucas Heights
• safe radioactive waste management
• ANSTO's international work in tracking air pollution, and
• the building and commissioning of the new OPAL research reactor and its now overcome teething problems.

ANSTO observes a Community Right to Know Charter, which is underlain by Federal Freedom of Information legislation.

Tours

Perhaps the most visible of its public information activities is its free tours program, which sees many thousands of people, from school children to seniors, each year shown a wide variety of ANSTO facilities by expert guides.

Reflecting the greater emphasis being placed in Australia on science education, ANSTO has developed programs to assist science students and their teachers.

This includes customised site tours for senior science classes. These are specifically tailored to deliver information matching NSW Higher School Certificate syllabus outcomes for physics and chemistry. Physics and chemistry workbooks complementing the tours are provided.

Professional development days are offered to educate teachers on the applications of nuclear physics and chemistry, as well as showing them the parts of ANSTO most relevant to the syllabus.

Documents

ANSTO also has available a speakers bureau service for presentations to organisations or schools about the organisation and current issues, such as the environment, nuclear medicine and the science of materials.

Researchers may gain access to Australia's most comprehensive collection of nuclear-related literature at the library which has been developed and maintained by ANSTO and its predecessor, the Australian Atomic Energy Commission, since the 1950s.

ANSTO's latest research is regularly showcased in an e-magazine, Velocity and in media releases. Free delivery of media releases is available by subscribing by email to inquiries@ansto.gov.au.

Many regular reports, such as ANSTO's formal annual report to the Federal Parliament and the results of its comprehensive environmental monitoring programs, are available to the public in hard and electronic formats.

A list of documents describing many of ANSTO's activities and offering and educational background information on subjects such as radiation, the OPAL research reactor and radioisotopes are available on line.

Information about ANSTO generally, the various parts of the organisation and the facilities they use, current research projects and outcomes are regularly updated on the ANSTO website.

ANSTO's Government and Public Affairs is available to assist with initial information requests from the community.