The white, round structure is the biological containment building, serving as the ultimate shield between the reactor and the outside world. Its design ensured that radiation was safely contained within the facility, providing a critical layer of protection.
HIFAR was a DIDO-class reactor, designed by the British and commissioned in Australia. It became operational on January 26, 1958, marking a significant milestone in the country’s nuclear research. HIFAR was the last of the DIDO-class reactors worldwide to be shut down in 2007, making this structure one of the last remaining examples of its kind.
In the foreground, the building visible at the front left was repurposed for forensic analysis by the Australian Federal Police, reflecting the site’s continued use for scientific and security-related applications.