Over the past two years, ANSTO has been working with the Australian Government to find a solution to secure the long-term supply of nuclear medicines for Australia. ANSTO’s Building 23 Facility is coming to the end of its operational life and has been deemed by regulators and independent experts to be in urgent need of replacement.
On 9 May 2023, the Government announced as part of its FY23/24 budget that it would, “support the resilience of nuclear medicine supply chains through the design and construction of a new, safe and reliable nuclear medicine manufacturing facility and sustainment of existing capabilities.” This new facility will be located at the ANSTO site Lucas Heights, NSW (the Nuclear Medicine Facility).
To give effect to this support, “The Government will provide funding over 10 years from 2023–24 to support the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) in its provision of nuclear medicines to Australians, including […] funding […] to construct a new nuclear medicine manufacturing building, as well as ongoing maintenance of the current ageing facility”.
The Project comprises the design, construction, and commissioning of the new ANSTO Nuclear Medicine Facility and associated infrastructure (the Project).