The ANSTO Innovation Precinct

The ANSTO Innovation Precinct

Dr Tim Boyle, ANSTO

In line with the national priority to drive Australian innovation through greater synergies between science and business, as articulated in the National Science and Innovation Agenda (NISA) and Australia’s National Science Statement 2017, ANSTO is developing a proposal to establish an Innovation Precinct at its main campus in Southern Sydney. The ANSTO Innovation Precinct will have three major components; a Graduate Institute, an Innovation Incubator and a Technology Park. It will 'crowd in' and co-locate knowledge-intensive businesses, high-tech industry, science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medicine (STEMM) graduates from Australian universities, and scientific partners around Australia’s centre of nuclear capabilities and expertise. This will create an innovation community that nurtures and drives technology development and transfer, commercialisation, entrepreneurialism, collaboration and market-ready postgraduates.

The Innovation Incubator, launching shortly, will become the home of knowledge exchange, commercialisation, innovation and entrepreneurship at ANSTO.

The Graduate Institute will establish a formal program of postgraduate training and development, with approximately 300-400 graduate and postgraduate students undertaking research studies at ANSTO’s Sydney and Melbourne campuses, as well as working with innovative businesses located in the ANSTO Innovation Precinct.

The proposed Technology Park will cluster SMEs, high-tech industry and knowledge-intensive businesses, which will have the benefit of close access to ANSTO’s people, unique capabilities, nuclear applications and research infrastructure. Businesses that have already approached ANSTO regarding possible co-location include those in high-end medical manufacturing, next generation food production and 3D data capture.

Industry groups, universities and all levels of government have been actively engaged in the planning process for the ANSTO Innovation Precinct and are excited about the opportunities it will bring, including smart jobs, a boost to the local economy, industry-experienced graduates and a drive in Australian innovation. Growing ANSTO’s research and technological facilities with a precinct at Lucas Heights has also been identified in the Greater Sydney Commission’s draft South District Plan as a ‘Productivity Priority Area’ for the South Sydney District. The Greater Sydney Commission’s plan is due to be finalised by the end of 2017.

The Government is seeking changes to ANSTO’s governing legislation, the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation Act 1987, to support the vision of the ANSTO Innovation Precinct and provide greater flexibility in the co-location of high-tech industry and knowledge-intensive business around ANSTO’s nuclear infrastructure and expertise. The Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation Amendment Bill 2017 was introduced into Parliament in June 2017.