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Why did we need a new reactor?  What was wrong with the old one?

HIFAR (High Flux Australian Reactor) was Australia's first research reactor and operated safely and reliably from 1958.  However, like anything else, reactors get old and out of date, and HIFAR was technically obsolete.  While it was a tremendous workhorse for radioisotope production, irradiation and research for close to fifty years; it would have been unviable to keep it operating safely and efficiently past the end of 2006.  Thus, there was a need to replace HIFAR with a modern, more efficient research reactor (OPAL) in order to continue the services ANSTO provide, whilst also providing an opportunity to expand ANSTO's work in the development and application of new knowledge in many areas vital to Australia's future.  These areas include human health, agriculture, industry and manufacturing, minerals and energy, construction and the environment.