COMMITTEES

Mr ZAPPIA (Makin) (12:23): On behalf of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works, I present the committee's report Report 4/2026—referral made in March 2026. Report made a parliamentary paper in accordance with standing order 39(e). Mr ZAPPIA: by leave—As the committee's fourth report for 2026 and the sixth report for the 48th Parliament, this report considers the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation's decommissioning of the National Research Cyclotron Facility at Camperdown, New South Wales.

The proposed work has an estimated cost of $17 million. In considering this proposed work, the committee received three submissions, held a public hearing and an in camera hearing with the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation and received a private briefing at the site inspection of the National Research Cyclotron Facility. After considering the evidence provided to the committee, the committee is recommending that it is expedient for the proposed work to proceed.

The committee acknowledges that, due to technological advancements in the field of nuclear medicine, the National Research Cyclotron Facility is no longer required for Australia's world-leading radioisotope research. The committee was able to speak with scientists who worked in this facility over its 30 year operation to gain an understanding of how these advancements have given hospitals and medical facilities across the country the ability to develop their own capability so that they can continue to provide exemplary care to the sickest in our community.

The committee received representations that the facility could be repurposed for future training or educational use. Following inspection of the facility, the committee determined that this would not be a viable option due to its unique construction, its radioactive contamination of structural elements, its aged condition and the cost to recommission and maintain such a bespoke facility.

Instead, public value would be better realised following a controlled and safe demolition of the facility to return the site to the local health district. As a final remark, I note that the site is located in Sydney's most densely populated local health district, with medical institutions, local businesses and residences all packed tightly together in this precinct alongside the facility.

Demolition of the facility will therefore require some changes to the way people move through the area. This proposed work brings to the fore the importance of stakeholder consultation to ensure that any public works do not cause undue interference or disruption to the community. The committee encourages the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation to continue its regular and meaningful engagement with these stakeholders as the work progresses.

In closing, I thank all members of the Public Works Joint Committee. In particular, I thank the member for Dawson, the deputy chair, and the member for Barton for attending both the site visit and the hearings and all the committee members that then took part in the following approval process. I also thank the committee secretariat for their input into the inquiry.

I commend the report to the House.