Surrounding environment
For many in the neighbouring community, the best thing about ANSTO is the site's 1.6 kilometre buffer zone - largely natural bushland - which is home to amazing flora, fauna and even Aboriginal works of art.
There's a diversity of wildlife across this bushland. Eastern grey kangaroos are noticeable, and other species include echidnas, long-nosed bandicoots, grey-headed fruit bats and several species of possums. The region is also rich in reptiles such as skinks, geckos, lace monitors and snakes.
Perhaps the most stunning wonders of the area are however, the rock artworks. Local anthropologist and decendant of the Dharawal tribe, Les Bursill, has recorded the existence of many large rock carvings, including one showing a kangaroo and another of a tribal hunter.
The images provide a record of the Aboriginal communities that lived in the area, and appear to be the same style as that of the Dharawal community.
There are about six kilometres of bush tracks in the area that cross a number of different plant communities containing several hundred species, so there's always something in bloom.
The Menai Wildflower Group, in conjunction with ANSTO, published a bushwalkers guide to the area, called The Barden Walking Track.
ANSTO's buffer zone provides a sanctuary for wildlife, enhances the scenic amenity of the area, provides recreational opportunities for the local community, protects rare and endangered flora and fauna, and retains an important record of the environment that existed before urban development.
The zone wasn't always in such good condition as it is today. ANSTO has removed more than 1 000 tonnes of rubbish and 150 abandoned cars. ANSTO (along with others like the Australian Federal Police) manage the human impact, so that the bushland can regenerate and take care of itself.