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Talisman Sabre 2013
Public Environment Report
Department of Defence
Draft for Consultation
Consultation period: 24 September 2012 – 26 October 2012
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Contents Acronyms 1
Executive Summary 4
Public Environment Report (PER) 4
Public Consultation Process 5
Building a Knowledge Base 5
Ongoing Environmental Management of the Defence Estate 6
Transparency 7
Environmental Support during TS13 7
Health and Safety during TS13 7
Post Exercise TS13 7
Community Consultation Process 7
TS13 Community Consultation Checklist 8
1 Introduction 9
1.1 Objectives of the PER 10
1.2 Methodology of the PER 10
2 Talisman Sabre 2013 in Context 11
2.1 Exercise Objectives 11
2.2 Locations and Overview 11
2.3 Weapons and Equipment 13
2.3.1 Australian Army 13
2.3.2 Royal Australian Air Force 13
2.3.3 Royal Australian Navy 14
2.3.4 US Air Force 14
2.3.5 US Navy 14
2.3.6 US Marine Corps 15
2.4 Participants 15
2.5 Description of Activities 16
2.5.1 Training in East Australia Range Complex 16
2.5.2 North Australian Range Complex 16
2.5.3 Training in Maritime Areas 16
2.6 Proposed Timing of TS13 16
2.7 Health and Safety 16
2.8 Social and Economic Aspects 17
2.9 Information Regarding Common Perceptions 18
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3 Legislative and Policy Framework 23
3.1 Commonwealth Legislation 23
3.1.1 Changes to Legislation since TS11 24
3.1.2 State of the Environment 2008 Report - SWBTA 25
3.2 State Legislation 26
3.2.1 Queensland 26
3.2.2 Northern Territory 26
3.3 Defence Policy 27
3.3.1 Defence Environmental Policy 27
3.3.2 Sustainable Training Area Management 28
3.3.3 Joint Statement of Environment and Heritage Principles 28
3.3.4 Defence Climate Change Policy 29
3.4 Agreements and Assessments 30
3.4.1 Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority 30
4 Environmental Management Framework 32
4.1 TS13 Environmental Planning 32
4.2 TS13 Environmental Management 33
4.2.1 Environmental Management Plan 33
4.2.2 Environmental Roles and Responsibilities 33
4.2.3 Environmental Controls 38
4.2.4 Environmental Awareness 40
4.3 TS13 Environmental Reporting 40
4.3.1 Environmental Monitoring Group Actions 41
4.3.2 Unit Environmental Liaison Officer Actions 42
4.3.3 Defence Support Operations Actions 42
4.4 Stakeholder and Community Consultation 43
4.4.1 Preparation for Consultation Activity 43
4.4.2 Outcomes of Consultation Activity 44
5 Environmental Risk Management 45
5.1 Environmental Risk Assessment 45
5.1.1 Commitment to Risk Management 45
5.1.2 Environmental Risk Assessment Process 45
5.1.3 Environmental Risk Workshop 46
5.2 TS13 Key Environmental Risks 46
5.3 Risk Reduction Measures 49
5.4 Detailed Management Actions for Areas of Concern 53
5.4.1 Quarantine 53
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5.4.2 Waste Management 54
5.4.3 Land and Water Contamination 54
5.4.4 Weed Management 55
5.4.5 Whales and Other Cetaceans 55
5.4.6 Sensitive Vegetation and Habitats 56
5.4.7 Low Flying Aircraft Noise 56
5.4.8 Jamming Signals 57
5.4.9 Fire 57
5.4.10 Oil Pollution 57
5.4.11 Heritage 57
5.4.12 Nuclear Activities and Prohibited Weapons 58
5.4.13 Nuclear Powered Vessels 58
5.4.14 Capricorn Coast Water Catchment Area 59
6 Key Training Areas 61
6.1 Shoalwater Bay Training Area 62
6.1.1 Description of the Area 62
6.1.2 Environmental Values 64
6.1.3 Planned Activities 67
6.1.4 Potential Risks and Impacts 68
6.1.5 Mitigation Measures 71
6.2 Saumarez Reef Air Weapons Range 72
6.2.1 Description of the Area 72
6.2.2 Environmental Values 73
6.2.3 Planned Activities 74
6.2.4 Potential Risks and Impacts 74
6.2.5 Mitigation Measures 74
6.3 Townsville Field Training Area 75
6.3.1 Environmental Values 77
6.3.2 Planned Activities 79
6.3.3 Potential Risks and Impacts 79
6.3.4 Mitigation Measures 81
6.3.5 TS13 Specific Environmental Controls 82
6.4 Cowley Beach Training Area 82
6.4.1 Environmental Values 84
6.4.2 Planned Activities 87
6.4.3 Potential Risks and Impacts 87
6.4.4 Mitigation Measures 88
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6.5 Canungra Field Training Area 89
6.5.1 Environmental Values 90
6.5.2 Planned Activities 92
6.5.3 Potential Risks and Impacts 92
6.5.4 Mitigation Measures 93
6.6 Delamere Range Facility 94
6.6.1 Description of the area 94
6.6.2 Environmental Values 94
6.6.3 Potential Activities 97
6.6.4 Potential Risks and Impacts 98
6.6.5 Mitigation Measures 98
6.7 Bradshaw Field Training Area 99
6.7.1 Description of the area 99
6.7.2 Environmental Values 101
6.7.3 Potential Activities 103
6.7.4 Potential Risks and Impacts 104
6.7.5 Mitigation Measures 105
6.8 Mount Bundey Training Area 106
6.8.1 Description of the Area 106
6.8.2 Environmental Values 108
6.8.3 Planned Activities 109
6.8.4 Potential Risks and Impacts 110
6.8.5 Mitigation Measures 111
6.9 Coral Sea 112
6.9.1 Description of the area 112
6.9.2 Environmental Values 112
6.9.3 Planned Activities 114
6.9.4 Potential Risks and Impacts 115
6.9.5 Mitigation Measures 116
6.10 Timor and Arafura Seas 117
6.10.1 Description of the area 117
6.10.2 Environmental Values 117
6.10.3 Planned Activities 118
6.10.4 Potential Risks and Impacts 119
6.10.5 Mitigation Measures 120
7 Support Sites 122
7.1 Overview 122
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7.2 Aviation - RAAF Bases and Civil Airports 124
7.2.1 Planned Activities 126
7.2.2 Potential Risks and Impacts 126
7.2.3 Mitigation Measures 126
7.3 Depots and Staging Sites 127
7.3.1 Planned Activities 128
7.3.2 Potential Risks and Impacts 128
7.3.3 Mitigation Measures 128
7.4 Port Facilities 129
7.4.1 Planned Activities 130
7.4.2 Potential Risks and Impacts 131
7.4.3 Mitigation Measures 131
8 TS13 Environmental Commitment Summary 132
9 References 134
Index of Figures
Figure 1 | General locality of training activity ................................................................................................. 12 Figure 2 | Outcomes of the 2005 workshop on Assessment of the risks of Defence activities in the Great
Barrier Reef World Heritage Area ........................................................................................................... 30 Figure 3 | Environmental Monitoring Group Structure for TS13 .................................................................... 35 Figure 4 | Structure of the Environmental Management Controls for TS13 ................................................... 39 Figure 5 | Shoalwater Locality Plan ................................................................................................................ 63 Figure 6 | Townsville Field Training Area Locality Plan................................................................................... 76 Figure 7 | Cowley Beach Training Area Locality Plan ..................................................................................... 83 Figure 8 | Delamare Range Facility Locality Plan ........................................................................................... 95 Figure 9 | Bradshaw Field Training Area Locality Plan ................................................................................. 100 Figure 10 | Mount Bundey Training Area Locality Plan ................................................................................. 107
Index of Tables
Table 1 | TS13 Common Perceptions and Response ................................................................................... 18 Table 2 | Group Actions and Responsibilities ................................................................................................ 36 Table 3 | Defence Environmental Controls .................................................................................................... 38 Table 4 | Post Exercise Environmental Reporting ......................................................................................... 41 Table 5 | TS13 Community Consultation Activities ........................................................................................ 44 Table 6 | Summary of Key Environmental Impacts and Risks ....................................................................... 47 Table 7 | Maritime Activities Risk Reduction Measures ................................................................................. 49 Table 8 | Air Activity Risk Reduction Measures ............................................................................................. 51 Table 9 | Land Activity Risk Reduction Measures ......................................................................................... 52 Table 10 | Ports and Other Non-Defence Land Risk Reduction Measures ................................................... 53 Table 11 | TS13 Key Training Areas .............................................................................................................. 61 Table 12 | Key Environmental Values of Shoalwater Bay Training Area....................................................... 64 Table 13 | TS13 Planned Activities at Shoalwater Bay Training Area ........................................................... 67 Table 14 | Potential Impacts at Shoalwater Bay Training Area ..................................................................... 68
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Table 15 | Key Environmental Values of Saumarez Reef Air Weapons Range ............................................ 73 Table 16 | TS13 Planned Activities at Saumarez Reef Air Weapons Range ................................................ 74 Table 17 | Potential Impacts at Saumarez Reef Air Weapons Range ........................................................... 74 Table 18 | Key Environmental Values of Townsville Field Training Area ...................................................... 77 Table 19 | TS13 Planned Activities at Townsville Field Training Area .......................................................... 79 Table 20 | Potential Impacts at Townsville Field Training Area ..................................................................... 79 Table 21 | Key Environmental Values of Cowley Beach Training Area ......................................................... 84 Table 22 | TS13 Planned Activities at Cowley Beach Training Area ............................................................. 87 Table 23 | Potential Impacts at Cowley Beach Training Area ....................................................................... 87 Table 24 | Key Environmental Values of Canungra Training Area ................................................................ 90 Table 25 | TS13 Planned Activities at Canungra Training Area .................................................................... 92 Table 26 | Potential Impacts at Canungra Training Area ............................................................................... 92 Table 27 | Key Environmental Values of Delamere Range Facility ............................................................... 96 Table 28 | TS13 Potential Activities at Delamere Range Facility .................................................................. 97 Table 29 | Potential Impacts at Delamere Range Facility .............................................................................. 98 Table 30 | Key Environmental Values of Bradshaw Field Training Area ..................................................... 101 Table 31 | TS13 Potential Activities at Bradshaw Field Training Area ........................................................ 103 Table 32 | Potential Impacts at Bradshaw Field Training Area .................................................................... 104 Table 33 | Key Environmental Values of Mount Bundey Training Area....................................................... 108 Table 34 | TS13 Planned Activities at Mount Bundey Training Area ........................................................... 109 Table 35 | Potential Impacts at Mount Bundey Training Area ..................................................................... 110 Table 36 | Key Environmental Values of the Coral Sea .............................................................................. 112 Table 37 | TS13 Planned Activities on the Coral Sea .................................................................................. 114 Table 38 | Potential Impacts on the Coral Sea ............................................................................................ 115 Table 39 | Key Environmental Values of the Timor and Arafura Seas ........................................................ 117 Table 40 | TS13 Planned Activities at Timor and Arafura Seas .................................................................. 118 Table 41 | Potential Impacts on the Timor and Arafura Seas ...................................................................... 119 Table 42 | Summary of Support Sites .......................................................................................................... 122 Table 43 | RAAF Bases and Civil Airports ................................................................................................... 124 Table 44 | Staging Properties ...................................................................................................................... 127 Table 45 | Port Facilities .............................................................................................................................. 129
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Appendices
Appendix A
Joint Statement of Environmental and Heritage Principles
Appendix B
Defence Environmental Risk Tool (ERT)
Appendix C
List of Threatened Communities, Species and Migratory Species for Shoalwater Bay Training Area
Appendix D
List of Threatened Communities, Species and Migratory Species for Saumarez Training Area
Appendix E
List of Threatened Communities, Species and Migratory Species for Townsville Field Training Area
Appendix F
List of Threatened Communities, Species and Migratory Species for Cowley Beach Training Area
Appendix G
List of Threatened Communities, Species and Migratory Species for Canungra Training Area
Appendix H
List of Threatened Communities, Species and Migratory Species for Delamere Range Facility
Appendix I
List of Threatened Communities, Species and Migratory Species for Bradshaw Field Training Area
Appendix J
List of Threatened Communities, Species and Migratory Species for Mount Bundey Training Area
Appendix K
List of Threatened Communities, Species and Migratory Species for Coral Sea
Appendix L
List of Threatened Communities, Species and Migratory Species for Timor and Arafura Seas
Appendix M
Community Issues and Responses – Cross Reference Table
Appendix N
Frequently Asked Questions
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ADF Australian Defence Force
ARPANSA Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency
ANSTO Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation
ASW Anti-submarine Warfare
BFTA Bradshaw Field Training Area
CBD Central Business District
CBTA Cowley Beach Training Area
CDF Chief of the Defence Force
CECG Combined Exercise Control Group
CEI Combined Exercise Instruction
CHL Commonwealth Heritage List
CJOPS Commander Joint Operations
COMARRPLAN Commonwealth Government Maritime Radiological Response Plan
CPX Command Post Exercise
CQPA Central Queensland Port Authority
DAFF Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
DCJOPS Deputy Commander Joint Operations
DEHP Department of Environment and Heritage Protection (Qld)
DSEWPaC Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and
Communities
DPO Defence Project Officers
DRF Delamere Range Facility
DSG Defence Support Group
DSO Defence Support Operations
EARC East Australian Range Complex
EAXA East Australian Exercise Area
ECC Environmental Clearance Certificate
EEZ Exclusive Economic Zone
EMG Environmental Monitoring Group
EMP Environmental Management Plan
EMQ Emergency Management Queensland
EMS Environmental Management System
E&E Environment and Engineering Branch
EPBC Act Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999
Acronyms
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ERT Environmental Risk Tool
ESD Ecologically Sustainable Development
FAQ Frequently Asked Questions
FTX Field Training Exercise
GBRMPA Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority
GBRWHA Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area
HE High Explosives
HEMP Heritage and Environmental Management Plan
HMP Heritage Management Plan
HQ Headquarters
HQJOC Headquarters Joint Operations Command
ILUA Indigenous Land Use Agreement
JCTC Joint Combined Training Capability
JLVC Joint Live Virtual Constructive
LFX Live Firing Exercise
MARFORPAC US Marine Forces Pacific
MBTA Mount Bundey Training Area
MFAS Mid-Frequency Active Sonar
MNES Matters of National Environmental Significance
MXA Maritime Exercise Areas
NARC North Australian Range Complex
NAXA North Australian Exercise Area
NGO Non-Government Organisation
NOTAM Notice to Airmen
NOTMARS Notice to Mariners
NQLD North Queensland
NSESD National Strategy for Ecologically Sustainable Development
NT Northern Territory
OCE Officer Conducting the Exercise
OHS Occupational Health and Safety
OPSMAN Defence Operations Manual
PER Public Environment Report
PXR Post Exercise Report
Qld Queensland
RAAF Royal Australian Air Force
RAN Royal Australian Navy
RCC Range Control Centre
RE Regional Ecosystem
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REO Regional Environment Officer
RNE Register of the National Estate
RSO Range Standing Orders
SEM Senior Environment Manager
SI Standing Instruction
SOP Standard Operating Procedure
SO Standing Order
SUBSAFE US Navy quality assurance system
SQLD South Queensland
SRTA Saumarez Reef Training Area
SWBTA Shoalwater Bay Training Area
TASO Training Area Standing Orders
TASMIS Training Area Safety Management Information System
TFTA Townsville Field Training Area
TS07 Talisman Sabre 2007
TS09 Talisman Sabre 2009
TS11 Talisman Sabre 2011
TS13 Talisman Sabre 2013
UELO Unit Environmental Liaison Officer
US United States
USS United States Ship
VSP(N) Visiting Ships Panel (Nuclear)
WHA World Heritage Area
WTWHA Wet Tropics World Heritage Area
UXO Unexploded Ordnance
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During July and August 2013, the Australian Defence Force (ADF) plans to undertake a training exercise known as Exercise Talisman Sabre 2013 (TS13). TS13 will be conducted at designated ADF training facilities in Queensland, possibly the Northern Territory, the Australian Maritime Zones of Territorial Sea and Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and the United States (US). TS13 will be a major exercise involving the Royal Australian Navy, the Royal Australian Air Force and the Australian Army in conjunction with US Armed Forces. The exercise forms part of the ADF’s training program to ensure preparedness for any future deployments and the continued readiness to protect and support Australia and its national interests. It also ensures that Australian and US Forces can work together in an effective and safe manner. In achieving its mission to defend Australia and its national interests, Defence is duly committed and accountable to ensure environmental stewardship is effectively promulgated throughout TS13. This is demonstrated by the actions and culture of exercise participants at all levels. From experience gained in previous exercises and similar activities to TS13, the US Armed Forces and ADF understands and is well prepared to provide the necessary resources, controls and tools required to ensure environmental impacts are avoided where possible, and mitigated to the greatest extent practicable. This experience is also gained from the routine and regular use of Defence’s training facilities, providing a pathway of continual improvement in environmental management for Defence training activity and the management of environmental features and aspects of its training areas.
Public Environment Report (PER)
This Public Environment Report (PER) provides a means of communicating the scope, location, receiving environment and potential impacts of the activities that are currently planned as part of TS13, and the associated environmental mitigation controls that Defence proposes to implement. The PER will not be formally assessed by the Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities (DSEWPaC) because the activities do not trigger a referral under the EPBC Act. In producing the PER, Defence invites individuals, community groups and other stakeholders to provide comment or discuss particular aspects of concern as the exercise planning for TS13 progresses. This feedback will help Defence in finalising the PER and help to refine the TS13 Environmental Management Plan (EMP) and other environmental controls that will be implemented for the exercise. As described in this PER, Defence has undertaken an environmental review of planned activities for TS13 and is working closely with relevant government stakeholder representatives to ensure possible environmental impacts are identified and actions will be taken to mitigate potential risks and reduce the likelihood and consequence of environmental impacts occurring.
Executive Summary
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Actions committed for TS13 are summarised as follows and include: Pre-exercise environmental briefings to all participants that will be involved in the TS13 exercise.
This will be carried out through presentations to participants, display of video awareness information and provisioning of training area environmental awareness cards, issued to each participant in a training area.
Establishment of an exercise-specific Environmental Monitoring Group that will provide support and advice to exercise participants, reinforce environmental controls and procedures, undertake comprehensive pre and post exercise monitoring and review environmental performance as part of post-exercise management.
Enforcement of Exercise Instructions outlining responsibilities for environmental management and responsive actions to be taken to deal with incidents and emergencies that can arise.
Enforcement of existing environmental controls that are provided for each training area within Standing Orders and Environmental Management Plans, and enforcement of Standard Operating Procedures for specific activities, including environment specific procedures, such as the Maritime Activities Environmental Management Plan and Procedure Cards.
Preparation and implementation of an exercise-specific TS13 Environmental Management Plan that will provide clear guidance on responsibilities, environmental management processes and planned controls, including exercise monitoring and incident management.
Public Consultation Process
Defence is committed to ensure community groups and the general public, are well informed of the environmental aspects of staging of major exercises, such as TS13, and the environmental management actions Defence is undertaking for the planning, staging and review of TS13, by: Production and distribution of this PER, via website for electronic access, and distribution of copies
to key government agencies, elected representatives and to all participating libraries, and to individuals upon request.
Receipt of feedback from community groups and individuals on aspects in relation to environmental management for TS13 using the communication channels established.
The consultation period on the draft TS13 PER commenced on 24 September 2012 and is due to conclude on 26 October 2012 (25 working days).
Fact sheets have been developed about the Exercise and PER, activity locations, sustainable environmental measures, environmental controls, legislative requirements, frequently asked questions and the consultation process. These fact sheets and a copy of the draft PER have been distributed to libraries in the Exercise location areas (Rockhampton, Yeppoon, Townsville, Darwin, Canungra and Amberley) in both hard copy and electronic format.
The TS13 PER website was launched on Monday 24 September 2012 and contains the draft PER, fact sheets, maps of the location activities and an online submission facility to allow submissions to be made online.
Defence accordingly invites community groups, government representatives and individuals to take the time to understand the commitments Defence is making to ensure environmental sustainability is a routine part of Defence training.
Building a Knowledge Base
Environmental controls and mitigation measures were developed for risks identified from the environmental risk assessment and workshop. As the majority of activities undertaken for each Talisman Sabre Exercise are routinely undertaken at Defence Training Areas, most controls and mitigation measures are already in place and embedded into training procedures.
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The Defence Environmental Strategic Plan identifies the requirement to balance land, sea and air activities necessary to sustain ADF capability, while using a sustainable management approach that preserves a positive legacy for future generations. Defence also values its role as an environmental steward and recognises the importance of perception within the community. An integral component of TS13 is communicating potential environmental impacts associated with the exercise and the proposed environmental management measures to address these. As previously detailed, Defence is undertaking a community consultation program for TS13, which includes a range of activities aimed at ensuring that the consultation process is open and transparent and the community is well informed and aware of channels to provide feedback. Consultation methods include: Community information sessions in Rockhampton and Yeppoon Advertisements in local and state newspapers Information provided on a dedicated website A free-call number for queries Library displays throughout the consultation period The PER is the key component of environmental planning for TS13. The PER provides for the assessment of potential environment and heritage impacts, and informs the development of specific environmental mitigation and management measures to be implemented for the Exercise. These measures may include site preparation to reduce the risk of negative impacts, or specific matters of focus. Environmental planning is an established, integral component of Defence business.
Ongoing Environmental Management of the Defence Estate
Defence is the largest single landholder in the Commonwealth, and maintains a training area estate that includes high value ecological and heritage assets. Many of these areas are now in better condition today than when they were originally acquired, and form a critical part of Defence’s training capability. Defence has recognised that effective environmental management is an important part of successfully undertaking Defence activities for some time. Defence updated the Defence Environmental Policy in 2010, which established clear objectives for the organisation as a whole. This Policy included the approach to meeting Defence’s obligations under Commonwealth environmental legislation and regulations, such as the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act, as well as broader environmental management objectives such as energy efficiency. The Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA) is a critical asset for Defence training due to the capacity to integrate training of naval, air and sea units, as well as the capacity to conduct large scale live fire training exercises. The majority of the TS13 exercise activities will be undertaken in this training area. The continuous and relatively undisturbed nature of SWBTA is the key to both a high value for conservation and Defence training capability. There are many environmental and heritage values at SWBTA which are protected under the EPBC Act. As a result maintaining and improving the environmental and heritage values of SWBTA is seen as a key objective within Defence. In recognition of the unique nature of the area, the Department of Defence prepared a State of the Environment Report in 2008 to provide a compendium of current scientific knowledge and understanding of SWBTA. This is intended to act as a reference document for Defence, regulatory agencies and the general public. This also contributes towards meeting the spirit and objectives of the Management Agreement between Defence and the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA).
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Transparency
Through this PER process, Defence aims to dispel misconceptions and provide clear transparent information to the public on the environmental impacts of the Exercise. Further information is provided by the staffed displays and internet site, during the consultation period. This process also enables members of the public to discuss with Defence, and seek further information on, any environmental matter of specific interest relating to TS13.
Environmental Support during TS13
TS13 is scheduled to involve up to 23,000 military personnel in total, with personnel from both the Australian and US Defence Forces involved, spread throughout a range of training environments in Australia and the US. It should be noted that a relatively small proportion of these will be undertaking field or live firing exercises, with the majority involved in planning, adjudication, support and simulation. Specialist support groups will be used in TS13, in particular the Environmental Monitoring Group to provide environmental advice and support to exercise planners and training control staff. The Environmental Monitoring Group is an integrated Australian-US group comprising military and civilian staff, including engineering, environmental and training area management staff.
Health and Safety during TS13
The management of health and safety aspects is paramount throughout TS13, with the safety of the community, military personnel and the environment of utmost priority. Safety is a command responsibility and the wellbeing and safety of all exercise participants is central to the successful conduct of any combined exercise. Safety of the community is paramount and Defence has numerous procedures in place to ensure that the safety of the general public is maintained during the conduct of all military training including Talisman Sabre. Transport safety and management is also of key concern and a range of measures will be implemented to ensure that vehicles and personnel are transported safely and with the least amount of disruption possible when public roads are being used. To this end, a Traffic Management Plan will be developed and implemented for TS13. In undertaking TS13, ADF and US personnel will be stationed at various locations across central and northern Queensland and possibly the Northern Territory. As such, there will be considerable economic benefits to the local and surrounding regions through spending by the ADF on goods and services.
Post Exercise TS13
The ultimate environmental reporting outcome for TS13 will be the Post-Exercise Environment Report. This report outlines the environmental assessment and planning undertaken particularly prior to the exercise, the environmental management undertaken particularly during the Exercise and the environmental outcomes identified particularly post-Exercise.
Community Consultation Process
The Defence Environmental Policy as outlined in the Defence Environmental Strategic Plan identifies the requirement to balance land, sea and air activities necessary to sustain Defence capability, whilst using a sustainable management approach that preserves a positive legacy for future generations. Defence also values its role as an environmental steward and places a high degree of importance to maintaining its environmental credentials. As such, an integral component of TS13 is the communication of potential environmental impacts associated with the exercise and the proposed environmental management measures to address these areas and any community concerns.
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TS13 Community Consultation Checklist
Freecall (1800) exercise information line, reply paid and project email address Advertisements, public facility notices and media releases in local and state newspapers Staffed public displays at Rockhampton and Yeppoon Static public displays throughout the consultation period Feedback forms, Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), fact sheets and Draft PER available
during the consultation process at numerous locations Key stakeholder mail-outs of information packs and subsequent briefings in Rockhampton,
Yeppoon, Townsville and Darwin A website containing a range of information and allowing for
AT4 84 mm unguided, portable, single-shot recoilless smoothbore weapon
Various small arms including M16 Assault Rifle
McDonnell Douglas AV-8B Harrier II
Lockheed KC-130 Hercules
Sikorsky CH-53 Sea Stallion Helicopter
Boeing Vertol CH-46 Sea Knight
Boeing V-22 Osprey
Bell AH-1 Super Cobra Helicopter
Bell UH-1N Twin Huey Helicopter
Unmanned Aerial Systems (e.g. RQ-7 Shadow, Scan Eagle)
McDonnell Douglas F/A 18 Hornet
2.4 Participants
TS13 is scheduled to involve up to 23,000 military personnel in total, with personnel from both the
Australian and US Defence Forces involved, spread throughout a range of training environments in
Australia and the US. It should be noted that a relatively small proportion of these will be undertaking
field or live firing exercises, with the majority involved in planning, adjudication, support and
simulation. Participants will be distributed across a number of geographic locations in Australia (at
land, sea and in the air) and the US. Naval activity will occur within the Australian Maritime Zones of
the Territorial Sea and Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
The US Marine Forces - Pacific (MARFORPAC), working with Headquarters Joint Operations
Command, will provide significant input for the planning of TS13. Australian participants will include
members of the Army, Navy and Air Force, as well as dedicated Defence personnel to manage the
conduct of the exercise including the environment. As part of exercise planning, Australia will retain
the lead in the management of environmental and safety-related aspects.
Specialist support groups will be used in TS13, in particular the Environmental Monitoring Group to
provide environmental advice and support to exercise planners and training control staff. The
Environmental Monitoring Group is an integrated Australian-US group comprising military and civilian
staff, including engineering, environmental and training area management staff.
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2.5 Description of Activities
2.5.1 Training in East Australia Range Complex
At Shoalwater Bay Training Area exercises are likely to involve a combination of amphibious landing,
parachute insertion, land force manoeuvre, urban operations and extensive fixed and rotary wing
flying operations.
Using designated areas within Shoalwater Bay Training Area, troops will practice the coordinated firing
of live ammunition from a range of weapon systems delivered from land, air and maritime platforms.
As with other training areas, the impact of live ammunition is carefully controlled and is routinely
performed at Shoalwater Bay Training Area outside the Talisman Sabre series of exercises. At
Townsville Field Training Area, training is likely to involve a combination of land force manoeuvres,
coordinated firing of live ammunition, and fixed and rotary wing flying operations. At Cowley Beach
Training Area this may consist of force preparation activities and may involve rehearsal of an
amphibious landing prior to maritime transit to Shoalwater Bay Training Area.
2.5.2 North Australian Range Complex
Limited activities are likely to occur in Northern Australian Range Complex. Some activities may occur
in the Bradshaw Field Training Area in the lead up to the TS13 exercise. These low level training
activities will be similar to the usual activities which occur within the Bradshaw Field Training Area. In
addition the use of some aircraft may occur in the Northern Australian Range Complex.
2.5.3 Training in Maritime Areas
A substantial component of TS13 will occur at sea, with forces distributed over the Coral, Timor and
Arafura Seas within the Australian Maritime Zones of the Territorial Sea and Exclusive Economic
Zone. This may include anti-surface, anti-air and anti-submarine warfare training, use of sonobuoys to
locate submarines, use of sonar for sub-surface vessel detection, clearance diving and logistics
training at sea including mid-frequency active sonar. Naval gun and missile firing (sea to sea and sea
to land) will also be exercised.
Saumarez Reef, a dedicated training area within the Coral Sea, is likely to be used during TS13 for
aircraft live fire practice.
2.6 Proposed Timing of TS13
Planning is at an advanced level for TS13, with a series of planning activities occurring and dedicated
Australian and US staff focusing on the execution of the exercise. The main training event in TS13 is
due to occur during the period 15 July to 6 August 2013, with consolidation and preparation of force
elements commencing prior to the more intensive periods of training. Pre and post-exercise
administration will occur around these dates.
2.7 Health and Safety
The management of health and safety aspects is paramount throughout TS13, with the safety of the
community, military personnel and the environment of utmost priority. Safety is a command
responsibility and the wellbeing and safety of all exercise participants is central to the successful
conduct of any combined exercise.
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Harmonisation of Australian health and safety legislation occurred on 1 January 2012. The Health
and Safety Act 2011 applies to all members of the ADF and Australian Public Service and replaces
the previous Occupational Health and Safety (Commonwealth Employment) Act 1991. All personnel
involved in planning and conducting TS13 holds duties and responsibilities under the Health and
Safety Act 2011.
The relevant codes of practices developed under the Act will be referred to during the exercise, as it is
acknowledged that there are inherent risks in the type of activities that Defence undertakes. In addition
a Risk Management Plan will be developed and control measures implemented to identify and
manage inherent risks required by the exercise.
Many safety aspects are addressed through TS13 exercise constraints and existing ADF
documentation including Range Standing Orders, Training Area Standing Orders and Standard
Operating Procedures. These documents include information on:
Dangers of heat, such as dehydration, heat cramps and exhaustion;
Sun and sunburn, which can result in skin cancer;
Wildlife and the presence of dangerous animals including crocodiles, sharks, marine stingers, feral
pigs, scorpions, spiders and snakes;
Insects such as sandflies, mosquitoes and ticks;
Vehicle speed limits; and
Emergency response / incident procedures.
Additionally, safety of the community is paramount and Defence has numerous procedures in place to
ensure that the safety of the general public is maintained during the conduct of all military training
including Talisman Sabre.
All weapons have safety templates that must be contained within designated Training Areas and
Defence Practice Areas. Considerable security arrangements will be in place to discourage
unauthorised entry to the Training Area during live firing exercises. Additionally, procedures are in
place for Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) and Notice to Mariners (NOTMAR) which are issued to close air
and maritime space while training areas and ranges are active.
Transport safety and management is also of key concern and a range of measures will be
implemented to ensure that vehicles and personnel are transported safely and with the least amount of
disruption possible when public roads are being used. To this end, a Traffic Management Plan will be
developed and implemented for TS13.
Addressing specific OH&S aspects are outside of the scope of the PER and are not discussed further.
2.8 Social and Economic Aspects
In undertaking TS13, ADF and US personnel will be stationed at various locations across central and
northern Queensland and the Northern Territory. As such, there will be considerable economic
benefits to the local and surrounding regions through spending by the ADF on goods and services. In
support of TS11, for example, the ADF spent the following amounts (AUD), by area, on local goods
and services:
Over AUD 4 million in the Rockhampton area
Over AUD 200,000 in the Townsville area
Over AUD 235,000 in the Darwin area
There will also be local area spending by individual Australian and US personnel during recreational
leave. Such spending can result in positive economic benefits to communities from support to retail
and entertainment entities.
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The potential for anti-social behaviour by off-duty personnel is recognised. Australian and US
personnel are subject to Australian civil law and Australian Military law in regards to behaviour
including while not on duty – i.e. on leave. US forces are also subject to US military rules and
regulations. Unacceptable behaviour by ADF or by US personnel will not be tolerated. Personnel who
break civil or military regulations will be disciplined.
Social and economic aspects are not detailed in the PER process. These matters are raised and
considered as part of overall Exercise planning and personnel management.
2.9 Information Regarding Common Perceptions
Defence is mindful of its responsibilities to manage its properties with respect for the natural
environment. Public perceptions of the potential impacts on the environment as a result of Defence
activities, and particularly large exercises such as TS13, may be influenced by inaccurate or biased
information. Such information may be propagated by individuals or groups, through a variety of
channels, in support of their own interests or views.
Through this PER process, Defence aims to dispel misconceptions and provide clear transparent
information to the public on the environmental impacts of the Exercise. Further information is provided
by the staffed displays and internet site, during the consultation period. This process also enables
members of the public to discuss with Defence, and seek further information on, any environmental
matter of specific interest relating to TS13.
The following perceptions or areas of interests of the public have been identified from previous TS
Exercises and knowledge of local matters. A response to each of these perceptions is also provided
Table 1 | TS13 Common Perceptions and Response
TS13 Common Perceptions and Associated Information
Perception Talisman Sabre 2013 Response
Risk to public safety
Safety, including of the public, is a key interest to Defence.
Existing restrictions and exclusions of public access to military properties (land) will be enforced during TS13. This enforcement will be as appropriate to the location – such as the clear identification of site boundaries and monitoring/patrols.
Temporary restrictions and exclusions of access to sea (maritime) and airspace will be imposed – and will generally involve the activation of existing as-required restrictions. These are clearly defined and advised through formal channels, in association with State Government Maritime organisations, AMSA and Airservices Australia, as Notices.
Traffic on public roads
There will be movement of military personnel, in considerable numbers, between bases and training areas. This movement, mainly as convoys, will include travel on public roads.
Where possible, the ADF will minimise the disruption to known busy periods on roads, and to manage the movement of slow moving vehicles and convoys.
Movement of vehicles on public roads will be undertaken in strict compliance with traffic regulations and Defence Standard Operating Procedures.
A traffic management plan will be implemented to facilitate the movement of military vehicles including on public roads.
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TS13 Common Perceptions and Associated Information
Perception Talisman Sabre 2013 Response
Environmental degradation – land based
Defence aims to prevent and minimise the potential for environmental
degradation due to the TS Exercise activities. This aim is enacted through
the application of its Environmental Policy and the application of
Environmental Management Plans and Standing Orders, education of
personnel, allocating responsibility for areas, and environmental assessment
and management. These tools are employed in the planning, preparation,
undertaking and completion of land-based activities.
Prior to commencing, and on conclusion of each TS Exercise, locations
requiring remediation are identified and work is undertaken. The pre-
Exercise remediation is to ensure the Exercise does not worsen any existing
environmental degradation – including natural – while post-Exercise
remediation is to redress impacts or damage caused during the Exercise.
The majority of remediation works required following TS11 were for repair of
roads and tracks.
Individual military units are responsible for cleaning up their area of activity
prior to vacating the site.
A dedicated Environmental Monitoring Group will be established for TS13, as
has been in previous Exercises. This Group has overall responsibility for
enforcing and implementing control measures, overseeing responses to
incident management and arranging monitoring of environmental conditions
prior to and post the Exercise. This group will work to improve incident
response and control measures following lessons learnt from TS11.
During TS11, military personnel were trained in and provided mobile data
collection devices with an Environmental Inspection Application through
which data was collected and uploaded remotely. This enabled daily reports
and images of environmental information for more rapid review and
management of any impacts than was possible in previous Exercises. A
similar mobile data collection application will be used during TS13.
Environmental degradation – marine and coastal based
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park
Defence aims to prevent and minimise the potential for environmental
degradation due to the TS Exercise activities. This aim is enacted through
the application of the Defence Environmental Policy and the application of
Environmental Management Plans, the education of personnel, handbooks,
protocol cards and environmental assessment and management. These tools
are employed in the planning, preparation, execution and completion of
maritime activities.
Military activities for TS13 are undertaken in designated and defined locations
of the ocean.
There has been extensive consultation between the ADF and the GBRMPA,
past and continuing, to identify and minimise impacts on that marine
environment as associated with this Exercise and with Military activities more
broadly. The GBRMPA was represented in discussions for the preparation of
this PER.
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TS13 Common Perceptions and Associated Information
Perception Talisman Sabre 2013 Response
Cetaceans and marine mammals
Sonar impacts
Injury
Other marine species
Both Active and Passive Sonar will be used by Australian Navy and US Navy as part of TS13. The respective Naval forces have operational protocols for their respective sonar systems that will be applied during the Exercise, and for environmental management of maritime activities.
Both Australia and the US take the protection of marine mammals from underwater sound sources very seriously.
All TS13 Anti-submarine warfare exercises, which use mid-frequency active sonar, will be conducted far out to sea in deep water and away from known concentrations of whales or those seabed features likely to attract whales.
Both Australian and US operational procedures require vessels equipment to be powered down or shut down if whales are sighted and move too close to vessels.
The risks to dugong populations, particularly near SWBTA, is considered low as Exercise activities will be focused on areas separate from the seagrass beds in which these mammals tend to concentrate to feed.
A visual survey of ocean areas will be undertaken, prior to any military activities, to identify present large mammals such as whales, dugongs and dolphins and take action to minimise the risk of harm to them.
Given the steps that will be in place as part of routine management and specific responses, the risk of marine mammals being adversely affected by maritime activities is considered low.
Other marine species such as fish are likely to swim away from areas of unnatural disturbance such as vessel motor noise.
The potential for harm to fish and other small marine species is considered low given their size, volume of water, flight response to perceived threat and limited area of ocean to be affected by TS13.
Waste – including pollution, spills and general rubbish
Land based
Marine based
Land Based
Waste and pollution generated on-land is contained during the Exercise and removed from the site and disposed of appropriately. Waste management is captured in Environmental Management Plans and Standing Orders.
The ADF has established processes and procedures for responding to any spills and/or contamination that may occur. These are also to be reported as soon as identified with follow-up actions including any clean-up and/or remediation.
Marine Based
Maritime vessels with in-built capability will treat waste water and release treated water into designated ocean areas. Waste water will be held within the vessel until reaching a designated release area.
Vessels that do not have treatment capability will hold waste water until reaching a suitable location – such as port – to pump out wastes.
The ADF has established processes and procedures for responding to any spills and/or contamination that may occur. These are also to be reported with follow-up actions.
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TS13 Common Perceptions and Associated Information
Perception Talisman Sabre 2013 Response
Construction works of permanent or temporary facilities
No permanent facilities will be constructed during the Exercise.
Temporary facilities will be established – including tent accommodation and portable toilets. These temporary facilities will be dismantled (where required) and removed on conclusion of the Exercise.
Remediation of affected sites to reduce evidence of facilities will be undertaken as required.
All other materials and equipment taken onto the properties is to be removed as far as possible. The only materials that may not be removed from the property are those which are not able to be recovered immediately. This may include lost equipment and/or spent projectiles or shrapnel located in a restricted location. Such items should be recovered at a later date as part of routine range maintenance and remediation activities.
Use of new technologies and equipment. Includes:
Weapons
Vehicles
Equipment
Facilities
‘New’ within Exercise TS refers to technology and equipment that has not previously been used during TS Exercises. As such, the Exercise is to test the operation and functioning of that equipment in collaboration with other known technology and equipment. The key outcome of the exercise, including this testing, is to test inter-operability of US and Australian systems and of personnel activities including training and response.
No equipment or technology will be introduced during the Exercise that has not already undergone substantial testing and introduced into service by its respective nation’s military force.
Noise affecting people – sources being:
Aircraft
Munitions (explosive detonation to small arms fire)
Land vehicles
The Exercise will involve aircraft, vehicles and munitions based activities – all of which generate noise that propagates beyond the immediate activity location. The noise impacts will depend on location, generating force and characteristics (duration, volume and whether continuous or single ‘bang’).
Defence recognises that noise, of any source and characteristic, can be an issue for people. Where possible, Defence will schedule noise-generating activities appropriately (for example minimal night / early morning activities affecting residences), to provide advance notification of activities to communities, and to consider location of an activity in relation to surrounding land uses.
Depleted uranium munitions
Depleted uranium munitions will not be used during TS13. Depleted uranium munitions are not part of the ADF inventory of equipment or supplies. The use of depleted uranium munitions is not permitted by foreign forces in Australia.
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TS13 Common Perceptions and Associated Information
Perception Talisman Sabre 2013 Response
Nuclear powered vessels
Nuclear weapons
Nuclear powered submarines and nuclear powered aircraft carriers of the US military will participate in TS13. The locations of activities for these vessels will be specified and limited to those locations. Radiation testing will be undertaken at those ports visited by nuclear powered vessels before, during and after TS13.
Members of the US Navy operating nuclear powered vessels have a high record of safety and professionalism. The last accident involving a US Navy vessel was in 2005 when the USS San Francisco submarine collided with an undersea mountain (not fully charted) near Guam. The forward elements of the vessel were damaged but the hull was not breached and the nuclear elements were not damaged.
The US Navy has implemented the quality assurance system SUBSAFE in the operation of its nuclear powered vessels.
Nuclear weapons will not be used during TS13.
Environmental compliance by US military personnel
US military personnel undertaking any activities within Australia are bound by both Australian regulatory requirements, including environmental law and Defence regulations, and by US military environmental rules and regulations.
US Military personnel will be required to undergo environmental awareness training prior to deploying to a Defence property. This training may include:
General and/or site specific Inductions; DVD viewing; Cards; Exercise instructions and orders; and Unit and Group briefings.
Defence Training Areas, are governed by Standing Orders that include requirement to manage environmental impacts. Non-compliance with these Orders may result in disciplinary action.
There have been no major breaches of environmental regulations by US Military personnel during any of the previous four Talisman Sabre exercises.
General concerns
Military activities generally
US Forces
It is not the intent of this PER to justify the undertaking of military training and joint military Exercises of the Australian Defence Force with US Forces.
It does recognise however that there are concerns and preconception of the public on undertaking such activities – and the broad social, governance (political) and economic environments this impacts upon.
This PER is to recognise the impact on the natural environments – land and marine – due to TS13. The social and economic impacts are noted. However, these impacts are somewhat separate due to the designated and limited influence of the Exercise given its undertaking on Defence land.
The Government (political) environments for the Exercise are managed and addressed by the Australian Department of Defence and the Australian Minister for Defence.
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This section outlines the legislative and policy framework that is relevant to the TS13 exercise. In
particular, the overarching environmental legislation governing Defence activities and impacts, the
Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) is described below.
3.1 Commonwealth Legislation
The Australian Government has extensive legislative powers with respect to the environment, which
are applicable to the management of Defence activities, on both Defence and non-Defence land. The
EPBC Act in particular has specific provisions for actions taken by Australian Government agencies and
actions on Commonwealth land.
The EPBC Act is Australia’s national environmental legislation, and in areas outside of Commonwealth
areas it provides an additional level of environmental protection complementing local and State
legislation. Outside of Commonwealth areas the EPBC Act is designed to complement local and State
legislation, and as a result focused on Matters of National Environmental Significance (MNES). These
MNES matters include:
World Heritage Areas;
National Heritage Places;
Wetlands of international importance (Ramsar wetlands);
Nationally threatened species and ecological communities;
Commonwealth marine areas;
the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park;
Migratory Species; and
Nuclear Actions.
The trigger for assessment and approval under the EPBC Act is whether a proposed action has a
significant impact on these NES matters. The Commonwealth has produced a wide range of guidance
on what constitutes a significant impact, including specific advice for each NES matter. These
guidelines are available at http://www.environment.gov.au/epbc/guidelines-policies.html.
Actions by Commonwealth agencies (such as Defence) and actions within Commonwealth areas,
including Defence Bases and Training Areas that will host the majority of activities during the TS13
exercise, the matter protected is the environment in its entirety. As a result the focus of
environmental assessment and impact mitigation planning will be on protecting the integrity of all
environmental assets and ecological processes.
Defence activities that are likely to have a significant impact on a matter of national environmental
significance and/or are likely to have a significant impact on the environment, require approval by the
Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities.
Defence is required to comply with the EPBC Act to ensure protection of the environment and heritage.
Other relevant Commonwealth environment and heritage legislation for the TS13 exercise includes:
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Heritage Protection Act 1984
Australian Heritage Council Act 2003
Australian Maritime Transport Safety Authority Act 1990
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The post-exercise report from TS11 noted that a small level of residual debris (five parachutes
unaccounted for) was found to have occurred, however the other risks noted in the analysis were
managed without incident.
A joint management agreement between Defence and GBRMPA was established in 2008 to create
agreed protocols for joint planning, management and information sharing. The agreement was to
have effect for three years. A particular feature of this agreement is an undertaking for consultation on
environmental management controls for Defence activities. GBRMPA have been involved in the
preparation of this PER document, and will have observers and communication procedures in place
during the TS13 exercise.
There is a direct linkage to the performance of the joint management agreement and the Great Barrier
Reef Outlook Report.
The latest Outlook Report prepared in 2009 noted that the management systems and processes were
particularly strong for Defence, and that Defence activities presented minimal threat to the Great
Barrier Reef.
In particular, it was noted that adequate resources for environmental management were provided by
Defence, and that there was effective communication with local communities (GBRMPA 2009, p.134).
HMAS Ballarat, Talisman Sabre 2011
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This section outlines the Environmental Management Framework (the Framework) that is applied
during the pre-Exercise, Exercise and post-Exercise stages of TS13 in order to mitigate potential and
actual environmental impacts. The Framework includes the following key components, of which the
first three roughly align with the three Exercise stages:
Environmental Planning;
Environmental Management;
Environmental Reporting; and
Community and Stakeholder Consultation.
The Framework is subject to a process of continual improvement so that the environmental
management of Exercises incorporates and is improved by lessons learned from previous Exercises.
This continual improvement is in line with the broader Defence Environmental Management System
(EMS) for all military activities.
4.1 TS13 Environmental Planning
The PER is the key component of environmental planning for TS13. The PER provides for the
assessment of potential environment and heritage impacts, and informs the development of specific
environmental mitigation and management measures to be implemented for the Exercise. These
measures may include site preparation to reduce the risk of negative impacts, or specific matters of
focus. Environmental planning is an established, integral component of Defence business –
environmental planning is not only applied for major activities and Exercises such as TS13.
The responsibility for environmental planning lies with the HQJOC Joint Exercises and Evaluation
Branch – Environment Team (JEEB-ET). This Team will coordinate environmental aspects of
Exercise planning and the implementation of its identified preparation measures for TS13.
The environmental planning for TS13 comprises an environmental review incorporating the following
tasks:
Review of the nature, scale and extent of proposed TS13 Exercise activities, and the comparison
of these to the TS11 Exercise activities;
Review of the environmental and heritage features of the areas, both Defence and non-Defence,
where the activities will take place;
Review of the existing environmental management and protection controls in place, including
Defence controls. These controls include Training Area, Base or Range Standing Orders,
Environmental Management Plans (EMPs) with specific EMPs for Maritime Activities and RAAF
Operations and Standard Operating Procedures (SOP);
Review of environmental impacts and incidents reported for TS09 and TS11;
Review of issues raised during community consultation undertaken for TS11; and
An environmental risk assessment based upon a consideration of information gathered from the
above activities. This risk assessment includes the identification of mitigation measures to reduce
that risk posed to the environment.
4 Environmental
Management Framework
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The environmental risk assessment for the proposed TS13 activities was undertaken by Aurecon with
input from the HQJOC JEEB-ET, DSG environmental personnel and Government agency
stakeholders. The outcomes of the environmental review, including the environmental risk
assessment, are presented in this PER.
4.2 TS13 Environmental Management
The environmental management for TS13 activities is founded on the integration of three key aspects,
being the:
Outcomes of the environmental review of the individual sites and previous TS Exercises
environmental reviews including risk assessment (Exercise Environmental Planning) as per
section 4.1;
Current environmental management controls; and
Environment Management Controls developed specifically for TS13.
4.2.1 Environmental Management Plan
An Environmental Management Plan (EMP) for TS13 is being developed to form the central guidance
document for management of all environmental matters throughout the Exercise. The EMP will provide
a summary of environment matters to be managed, clear guidance on responsibilities, environment
management processes and planned controls, including exercise monitoring and incident
management. The EMP will include the direction and responsibilities that mitigate potential
environmental impacts identified in the environmental review including risk assessment process. The
EMP will also provide the link to Controls contained within Training Area, Base or Range Standing
Orders and EMPs as well as in Exercise specific procedures and instructions.
4.2.2 Environmental Roles and Responsibilities
Key roles and responsibilities for particular positions with oversight of Exercise environmental
management have been established as follows:
Officer Conducting the Exercise: Being the Commander Joint Operations Command who
retains overall responsibility for ensuring environmental compliance;
Exercise Director: Responsible for ensuring that environmental management measures are
implemented in all aspects of the Exercise;
Military Commanders: To ensure that their respective units implement the applicable
environmental controls and that all personnel have the means to meet their environmental
responsibilities, including awareness training and the provision of appropriate equipment and
resources to respond immediately to any environmental incidents; and
Regulating Authority. The Regulating Authority provides coordination of environmental reporting
on leaving training areas, and in particular of Shoalwater Bay Training Area.
Key roles and responsibilities for groups with direct involvement of environmental planning,
management and actions, have been established as follows:
Combined Exercise Control Group: Responsible for the integration of environmental planning
outcomes and environmental risk management strategies into their plans. Environmental input
into Exercise planning is being coordinated by HQJOC JEEB-ET.
Unit Environmental Liaison Officers: Military personnel designated by the Unit Commanders,
will coordinate, monitor and report on environmental matters for each operational unit throughout
TS13. The Unit Environmental Liaison Officers will maintain regular liaison with Range Control
(see below) throughout TS13.
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Environmental Monitoring Group: A team of military personnel with environmental expertise
and knowledge of the training areas, who are responsible for environmental management during
the exercise. Primary responsibilities will include conducting unit level liaison and education,
compliance monitoring and post exercise reporting. Other duties may include vehicle inspections,
assisting with unit march-in/march-out inspections, escort duties and all other environmental
requirements in support of the Exercise.
Defence Support Environmental Team: Within which is a separate and existing environmental
team comprising technical environmental personnel (Regional Environment Officers and Senior
Environment Managers) of the Department of Defence. Defence Support Environmental Team
personnel will develop Environmental Clearance Certificates and provide specific
environmental advice to the Environmental Monitoring Group, conduct pre and post exercise
inspections, liaise with external stakeholders and prepare a list of damages / outstanding
issues / remediation actions.
Range Control: An existing management arrangement responsible for the coordinated and
sustainable use of large field training areas. For the Exercise, Range Control will run its normal
operations such as unit march-in/march-out inspections at Townsville Field Training Area,
Cowley Beach Training Area, Bradshaw Field Training Area, Delamere Range Facility and Mount
Bundey Training Area. Range control will provide further support to the Exercise, beyond its
standard responsibilities, if and when requested.
Detailed responsibilities of the groups identified above are provided in the following sub-sections.
4.2.2.1 Combined Exercise Control Group
Specific responsibilities of the Combined Exercise Control Group (CECG), coordinated through the
HQJOC JEEB senior environmental planner, include:
Engaging with State and Territory Governments, non-government organisations (NGOs) and local
communities throughout the planning and implementation phases of the Exercise as appropriate
and recording all comments or queries;
Managing complaints in accordance with a Complaints Handling Procedure;
Consolidating post activity reports submitted by Unit Environmental Liaison Officers;
Coordinating the assessment of the implementation of environmental controls and any
requirements for post-exercise rehabilitation, in consultation with the Defence Support Group;
Preparing a summary Environment Post Exercise Report, to be submitted to the Australian
Government Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities
(DSEWPaC) and key stakeholders. The report will draw upon the post activity reporting
undertaken by the Unit Environmental Liaison Officer’s and Environmental Monitoring Group, and
pre and post exercise inspections undertaken by the Defence Support Group; and
Facilitate a post exercise briefing to identify key issues, logistical problems, ease of application of
environmental requirements and lessons learnt. Any key issues, themes and occurrences are
incorporated as part of planning for future major military exercises.
4.2.2.2 Unit Environmental Liaison Officers
Specific responsibilities of the Unit Environmental Liaison Officer’s include:
Advising their Commander, Officers and other Unit personnel on the environmental protection and
mitigation measures relevant to their Unit’s activities;
Monitoring compliance with environmental controls, such as Exercise Instructions, Standing
Orders and Environmental Clearance Certificates (issued by DSO);
Maintaining regular liaison with Range Control throughout the Exercise;
Investigating and reporting environmental incidents to Range Control, DSG and the Environmental
Management Group;
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Ensuring completion of remediation works prior to leaving the site on conclusion of the Exercise
component; and
Ensuring compliance with march-out procedures, including attendance at march-in and march-out
inspections, completing post activity reports (including Environmental Clearance Certificate close
outs), and facilitating unit clearance through Environmental Monitoring Group and Range Control.
The Unit Environmental Liaison Officers will be supported by the Environmental Monitoring Group.
4.2.2.3 Environmental Monitoring Group
The structure of the Environmental Monitoring Group to be established for TS13 is shown in Figure 3.
Environmental Monitoring Group Headquarters will be located at Rockhampton, with deployment to
other Defence and non-Defence sites as required to fulfil the Environmental Monitoring Group’s
responsibilities.
Figure 3 | Environmental Monitoring Group Structure for TS13
The Environmental Monitoring Group will comprise dedicated Environmental Monitoring personnel to
address training areas of the North Australian Range Complex and East Australian Range Complex,
non-Defence land and maritime areas (i.e. Environmental Monitoring Group - Afloat). There will be
personnel focusing on land, air and maritime components, of those physical locations as appropriate.
Specific responsibilities of the Environmental Monitoring Group include:
Providing technical advice, such as environmental protection and mitigation measures, to Unit
Commanders and Unit Environmental Liaison Officer’s on environmental protection and mitigation
measures. This advice will be provided as required before, during and after the Exercise;
Conducting unit march-in and march-out (extraction) inspections;
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Monitoring compliance with environmental controls, such as Exercise Instructions, Training Area
Standing Orders and Environmental Clearance Certificates;
Investigating and reporting environmental incidents to Range Control and Combined Exercise
Control Group, if required; and
Providing post-exercise environmental reports on performance.
4.2.2.4 Actions – Environmental Monitoring Group
The Environmental Monitoring Group will undertake a number of management actions throughout
TS13, from pre-Exercise establishment through to post-Exercise reporting and briefing. Table 2
describes the pre-and during Exercise environmental management actions associated with training
elements that are planned for TS13. These are consistent with ADF protocols for major exercises.
Table 2 | Group Actions and Responsibilities
Training Element Description
Pre-Exercise
Actions
Defence will nominate the Environmental Monitoring Group personnel and
establish the structure of the Environmental Management Groups.
Unit Environmental Liaison Officer’s will also be assigned by each Unit
Commander.
The roles and responsibilities for individual members and personnel forming the
Unit Environmental Liaison Officer’s, the Environmental Monitoring Group and
Defence Support Group will be clearly identified as part of pre-Exercise
briefings.
Defence Support Group will undertake pre-Exercise inspections and
documentation of key Exercise areas as required to identify pre-Exercise
remediation / upgrade works and to assist in the identification of Exercise impacts
during the post-activity checks.
Pre-Exercise (planning phase)
Consultation and
Communications
Defence will engage with Federal, State and Local Government, Non-
Government Organisations and local communities throughout the planning and
execution stages of TS13 as appropriate.
All comments or queries will be logged and any complaints will be managed
appropriately in accordance with a Complaints Handling Procedure. Defence
Support Operations has responsibility to liaise with external stakeholders on
environmental issues.
Deployment for
Exercise Activity
Relevant controls specified in the TS13 EMP will be provided to Exercise
participants - as Exercise Instructions - for a given exercise activity. The Unit
Environmental Liaison Officer’s s will monitor compliance against these Exercise
Instruction Controls.
The Environmental Management Group providing more detailed and secondary
compliance monitoring for key exercise activities and areas.
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Training Element Description
Extraction from
Activity
At the close of the Exercise, extraction of personnel is managed on a policy of
“no footprint‟, with all Exercise materials, equipment and debris removed and all disturbances (e.g. tracks, ditches) rehabilitated. Extraction (removal and rehabilitation) requirements will be guided by the Exercise Instructions, EMP and Pre-Exercise inspection, and will be monitored and verified by the Unit Environmental Liaison Officer’s.
The Environmental Monitoring Group will provide more detailed and secondary compliance monitoring for key exercise activities and areas. All visiting units must abide by these requirements.
March-Out Procedures.
The unit must obtain clearance from the Environmental Monitoring Group / Range Control and provide completed Post Activity Reports before they are authorised to leave the Exercise site.
Operational
Corrective Action
Defence recognises that the key to operational corrective action is rapid incident reporting and incident response. The requirements for incident reporting and incident response are included in Exercise Instructions and Environmental Management Plan, including notification of the Unit Environmental Liaison Officer in the first instance and notification and involvement of the Environmental Management Group for more serious incidents.
4.2.2.5 Defence Support Environment Group
A separate group will be established of existing environmental personnel (including Senior
Environment Managers, Environment Officers and Range Control Officers) and will operate
independently from the Environmental Monitoring Group.
Senior Environment Managers and Environment Officers are responsible for the on-going
environmental management of the Defence estate and have specialist environmental expertise. Their
existing on-going responsibility for the sites provides them with knowledge of the properties for some
time prior to the Exercise, as well as post-Exercise management.
Specific responsibilities of the Defence Support (Environment) Group include:
Assessing the need for and developing Environmental Clearance Certificates and providing
tailored advice and approval for specific actions affecting the environment;
Conducting pre and post exercise inspections and basic condition assessment of high priority
sites;
Briefing and advising the Environmental Monitoring Group on specific environmental issues and
mitigation;
Preparing a list of gross environmental damages, outstanding issues and remediation actions; and
Liaising with external stakeholders on environmental issues as required (i.e. GBRMPA, DEHP and
DSEWPaC)
4.2.2.6 Range Control
Range control is the term given to the group of personnel responsible for the coordinated and
sustainable use of training areas. Range Control are dedicated and generally located on-site for those
training areas attached to a base or may be of high use.
Range control will provide support to the Exercise that is part of its routine activities.
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Specific standard responsibilities of Range Control that will apply for this Exercise and relevant to the
Environmental aspect include:
Booking of ranges or parts of ranges;
Managing the quality of the range including infrastructure maintenance and facilities; and
Managing the use of the range to minimise environmental pressures and enable recovery time as
required.
4.2.3 Environmental Controls
4.2.3.1 Documentation
A number of on-going environmental controls are in place for Defence areas and activities to manage
the impacts of routine activities. In additional to these, specific controls will be developed to recognise
the potential impacts from TS13 activities. “Controls” is the term for documents that identify the
requirements, processes and actions to manage the use of a property or equipment safely and
responsibly.
A summary of the on-going (current) and exercise-specific environmental controls applicable to
TS13 is presented in Table 3 below. All controls (documents) are internal Defence documents.
Table 3 | Defence Environmental Controls
Control Description Applicable to
TS13 Exercise EMP Provides overarching guidance on environmental management requirements for TS13, including use of current environmental controls, requirements for exercise-specific controls and a framework for implementation, corrective action and review.
The EMP will be developed from the TS11 EMP and from this TS13 PER.
Whole of exercise
Specific EMP:
ADF Maritime
Activities EMP
Provides guidance on environmental management requirements for Maritime Activities. The Maritime Activities EMP includes the implementation components of: Planning Guides, Planning Handbooks and Procedure Cards.
Maritime Activities
Specific EMP:
RAAF Aircraft
Operations EMP
Provides guidance on environmental management requirements for aircraft operations. It includes the following implementation components: Planning Handbook, Technical Reference Manual, Procedure Cards and Planning Guides.
It is designed to be used in conjunction with the ADF Maritime Activities EMP Planning Guides and Procedure cards (where activity is over-water).
Aircraft operations
Standard EMP:
Site Heritage Management Plans (HMPs)
Site EMPs
Site Environmental Management Systems (EMSs)
Provide overarching guidance on environmental management requirements for a specific Defence training area or base, including environmental controls, implementation, corrective action and review. Site HMPs, EMPs and EMSs are focused on the management of routine activities and maintenance of environmental values on Defence properties rather than the conduct of major exercises.
Most Defence training areas and support sites
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Control Description Applicable to
Standing Orders (SOs) and Standing
Instructions (SIs)
for each Training Area, Base or Range of the Exercise
Regulate the conduct of Defence activities at a specified Defence property, including environment and heritage requirements.
Training Area, Base and Range Standing Orders, and Standing Instructions provide controls for activities within a certain scope. Beyond that addressed scope, activity-specific controls are required through Environmental Clearance Certificates.
It is mandatory for users of Defence training areas (both Australian and foreign Military forces) to adhere to these orders and instructions.
All Defence training areas and support sites
Environmental Clearance Certificate (ECC)
Regulates the conduct of Defence activities that lie outside the scope of Training Area, Base or Range Standing Orders or SIs That is, it provides the authority, following inspection and advice, to undertake an activity that may cause limited and specified impacts, and the actions required to minimise, rehabilitate and (if appropriate) offset that impact.
ECCs are investigated and issued for activities undertaken outside of Defence properties.
Specific activities or areas as required
These Controls will inform and be referenced in the Combined Exercise Instruction (CEI) and Exercise
Instructions to be issued to exercise participants, and to be monitored for compliance by the Unit
Environmental Liaison Officer’s and Environmental Monitoring Group during the exercise. The
structure of the environmental Controls for TS13 is illustrated in Figure 4.
Figure 4 | Structure of the Environmental Management Controls for TS13
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4.2.3.2 Impact Mitigation and Avoidance
Risk elimination is the most effective mitigation measure and has been applied to TS13 activities
where appropriate. For example:
There are no plans for nuclear powered warships to approach within 10km of the coast, except
where approaching ports that have been approved by the Visiting Ships Panel (Nuclear);
Certain areas of high sensitivity in Defence training areas have been designated as “no go‟ zones,
therefore not permitting TS13 activities to be undertaken within them and reducing
associated risks;
Potentially contaminating activities (e.g. refuelling, vehicle servicing, latrines, and field kitchens)
are prohibited within the Capricorn Coast water catchment area within Shoalwater Bay Training
Area; and
Use of depleted uranium munitions is not authorised for TS13 or any other exercise in Australia.
Engineering controls have been applied to risks where they are of a localised and predictable nature.
For example, the thinning of vegetation in impact areas / firing ranges and the associated buffer
zones has been undertaken to reduce the impact of fire outbreaks, whilst retaining ample cover to
ensure that erosion and sedimentation is minimised.
Operational controls are readily applied to risks associated with spatially dispersed activities,
activities of a limited duration and/or that may be subject to changes in location or timing to best
meet Exercise requirements. Therefore, operational controls may be more appropriate than
engineering controls for the majority of activities to be undertaken in TS13.
The use of established operational controls, including Standing Orders, Standing Instructions and
Procedure Cards is appropriate as most of the proposed activities for TS13 are of a routine nature.
Where non-routine activities are proposed, specific management requirements are included in
Environmental Clearance Certificates in accordance with established procedures.
4.2.4 Environmental Awareness
Environmental awareness is an important component of the Framework for TS13. It is undertaken to
enable all participants to understand the potential environmental impacts and associated management
requirements for the Exercise. In particular, awareness of the relevant environmental controls to be
implemented during TS13, including the role and responsibility of individual participants is critical to
the successful prevention, minimisation and reporting of environmental impacts.
Environmental awareness will be delivered to Exercise participants, whether from Australian and US
forces, through:
Environmental inductions;
Environmental awareness DVD;
Environmental awareness cards; and
Exercise instructions and orders
Unit and Group briefings.
4.3 TS13 Environmental Reporting
The ultimate environmental reporting outcome for TS13 will be the Post-Exercise Environment Report.
This report outlines the environmental assessment and planning undertaken particularly prior to the
exercise, the environmental management undertaken particularly during the Exercise and the
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Table 11 outlines the key training areas to be utilised during TS13. Detailed information on each
training area is discussed in the following sections. Figure 1 provides an overview of the training area
locations.
Table 11 | TS13 Key Training Areas
TS13 Key Training Areas
Training Area Description
Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA)
Shoalwater Bay Training Area covers approximately 454,500 ha with its southern boundary located 50 km north of Rockhampton. The area includes both terrestrial and marine environments and is registered on the Commonwealth Heritage List (CHL). A significant component of the marine environment is encompassed within the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area (GBRWHA) and Marine Park (GBRMP). The site also contains Ramsar listed wetlands.
Townsville Field Training Area (TFTA)
Townsville Field Training Area covers approximately 208,000 ha and is located 50 km southwest of Townsville. The north eastern and eastern boundaries follow the escarpments of the Paluma and Herveys Ranges. The south-eastern part of Townsville Field Training Area is within the Townsville City Council local authority area. The western boundary lies west of Star River. The southern boundary generally follows a line from south of Dotswood Homestead site to Fanning River Station.
Cowley Beach Training Area (CBTA)
Cowley Beach Training Area is located in the wet tropics region on the north Queensland coast, immediately north of the township of Inarlinga and approximately 40 km south of Innisfail. It includes both terrestrial and marine environments and comprises 5,081 ha of land, 8 km of beaches and includes Lindquist Island (located approximately 1 km offshore).
Saumarez Reef Saumarez Reef is a Defence training area located approximately 330 km north east of Gladstone, within the Coral Sea.
Canungra Military Area
Canungra Military Area, located in the hinterland of the Gold Coast Qld, consists of a cantonment and field training area. The Coomera River passes through the property to physically separate these two functional areas. The property is characterised by undulating terrain – in the field training area the terrain is rugged and of substantial vegetation.
Delamere Range Facility (DRF)
Delamere Range Facility is primarily an air weapons range and covers 211,200 ha, located 125 km southwest of Katherine in the Northern Territory. The Delamere Range Facility is bounded by the Buntine Highway to the west and pastoral leases to the north, east and south.
6 Key Training Areas
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TS13 Key Training Areas
Training Area Description
Bradshaw Field Training Area (BFTA)
Bradshaw Field Training Area covers approximately 871,000 ha and is located near Timber Creek, 600km by road south-west of Darwin in the Northern Territory. The training area is bound to the north by the Fitzmaurice River and Wombungi Station, to the west by the Joseph Bonaparte Gulf, by the Victoria River to the south, and to the east by pastoral properties. The Bradshaw Field Training Area is registered on the Commonwealth Heritage List.
Mount Bundey Training Area (MBTA)
Mount Bundey Training Area covers approximately 117,300 ha and is located approximately 115 km south east of Darwin in the Northern Territory. The Mount Bundey Training Area is bounded by the Arnhem Highway to the north, Mary River and the proposed Mary River National Park to the west, and Kakadu National Park to the east and south. The Mount Bundey Training Area comprises terrestrial environments and is registered on the Commonwealth Heritage List.
Coral Sea Maritime operations (transits and training) will be conducted in the Coral Sea in the southwest part of the Pacific Ocean, between Australia, New Guinea and Vanuatu, which includes the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area. The Coral Sea activities will largely occur in International Waters. Maritime assets will gather East of Townsville prior to activities commencing in the Coral Sea approximately 300 nautical miles east to north-east of Shoalwater Bay Training Area.
Timor and Arafura Seas
Potential carrier operations, Maritime transits and training will be conducted in the Timor and Arafura Seas to the west of the Indian Ocean, between the north coast of Australia, Timor Leste and Papua New Guinea.
6.1 Shoalwater Bay Training Area
6.1.1 Description of the Area
Shoalwater Bay Training area is located northeast of Rockhampton and north of Yeppoon on the
Central Queensland coast. The closest community to the training area is the township of Byfield,
located near the south-eastern border of the training area. A locality map showing Shoalwater Bay
Training Area is provided in Figure 5.
Shoalwater Bay Training Area is recognised as the ADF’s most important area for the conduct of
amphibious and combined arms exercises due to its accessible coastline. Exercise activities are
undertaken on a regular basis at the training area, by both Australian and International contingencies,
including the Singapore Defence Forces.
Facilities at Shoalwater Bay Training Area includes several airfields, helicopter landing points,
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6.2.2 Environmental Values
Saumarez Reef is located within the Coral Sea; however it is located outside of the Great Barrier Reef
Marine Park. The Reef lies within the proposed Coral Sea Marine Reserve. The site is to be included
in the Conservation Park Zone, reflecting the sensitive environmental values of the site.
The reef is known for a high density of shark species and is considered a nursery site for sharks and
mid-sized predatory fish.
Table 15 | Key Environmental Values of Saumarez Reef Air Weapons Range
Key Environmental Values of Saumarez Reef Air Weapons Range
Environmental Value
Description
Geology, soils and topography
Saumarez Reef is located on the Marion Plateau sub-region, which is located off the coast of Mackay-Rockhampton. Saumarez Reef is one of two small drowned reefs located on the Plateau. The plateau feature covers an area of 36,808 km
2 and
lies in the warm tropical waters of the Coral Sea at depths of 100-600 m. The northern boundary is formed by a rift trough, the Townsville Trough, which separates it from the Queensland Plateau sub-region. The eastern margin is created by the relatively steep slope leading to the Cato Trough, which is part of sub-region. The western margin is demarcated by the border with the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.
Marine and aquatic environment
The site is known for a high density of shark species and the lagoons are important nursery sites for sharks and mid-sized predatory fish. Surrounding island areas also support critical nesting sites for the green turtle and a range of seabird species, including the red-footed booby and frigatebirds.
Heritage The Reef lies within the proposed Coral Sea Marine Reserve. The site is to be included in the Conservation Park Zone, reflecting the sensitive environmental values of the site.
Saumarez Reef also contains a number of heritage sites, grave sites and artefacts
Social environment
Saumarez Reef is an important recreational and charter fishing area. Recreational and charter fishing targets large pelagic predators such as black marlin in the area. The area is also important for tourism, particularly diving, as well as boating and shipping.
The Queensland Pot and Spanner Crab Fisheries may also operate at times around Saumarez Reef.
Matter of National Environmental Significance
The Reef lies within the proposed Coral Sea Marine Reserve. The site has been listed in the Conservation Protection Zone (IUCN IV). The waters surrounding the reef are Multiple Use Zone (IUCN VI).
This zone will allow a range of existing activities to continue but will exclude activities that carry a high risk to the conservation values of the area.
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6.2.3 Planned Activities
It is noted that these potential exercises are recognised under the Defence Practice Area Gazettal for
Saumarez Reef, as part of the ongoing ADF training program, and are not limited to the TS13
Exercise.
Table 16 | TS13 Planned Activities at Saumarez Reef Air Weapons Range
TS13 Planned Activities at Saumarez Reef Air Weapons Range
Sphere TS13 Planned Activities
Air Low level flying by fixed wing aircraft
Air combat and intercept training (<1,000 ft or 300 m)
Flying aircraft including low-level supersonic speed (<1,000 ft or 300 m)
Aircraft gunnery, bombing and rocketry practice
Air to ground gunnery and rocketry practice
Live firing of weapons (gunnery and practice bombs)
Use of aircraft radar and lasers
Non-ADF Commercial and recreational fishing
6.2.4 Potential Risks and Impacts
Table 17 | Potential Impacts at Saumarez Reef Air Weapons Range
Potential Impacts at Saumarez Reef Air Weapons Range
Environmental Aspect
Potential Impacts
Marine environment
Disturbance to marine fauna due to noise emissions from low flying aircraft
Damage or disturbance to marine flora and fauna from the use of high explosive
ordnance (e.g. aircraft live firing)
Injury to fauna due to accidental exposure to high-powered laser
Atmospheric environment
Air pollution and subsequent climate change impacts from the use of
hydrocarbons as fuels.
Air pollution due to smoke emissions from explosions from live firing activities
Defence personnel and civilian health and safety
Injury to Defence personnel or civilians due to accidental exposure to high-
powered laser
Social environment
Impact on commercial and private charter fishing business, due to restrictions
on access to of the area during the exercise.
6.2.5 Mitigation Measures
6.2.5.1 Current Environmental Controls
Provisions in place to manage the day-to-day environmental and heritage attributes of Saumarez Reef
Air Weapons Range are listed below:
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Saumarez Reef Air Weapons Range Standing Instructions
The Amberley Air Weapons Range Standing Instructions (AMB AWR SI) incorporates the Saumarez
Reef Air Weapons Range and provides specific details on the obligations that Defence is required to
undertake in accordance with the proposed Defence uses on the training area. The Standing
Instructions also sets out the environmental conditions that must be met by all users of Saumarez
Reef Air Weapons Range and provide specific instructions for environmental approvals and
management.
Environmental Officers
Environment Officers are professional environmental personnel that manage specific Defence areas.
The SEM and EOs for the Queensland region are responsible for management of environmental
issues at Saumarez Reef.
Environmental Clearance Certificates
Defence manages the identified potential environmental impacts of specific activities through an
internal protocol known as an Environmental Clearance Certificate (ECC). All activities undertaken at a
Range or Training Area must have an approved Environmental Clearance Certificate which must be
reviewed and reissued if there is a change to the activity or change in the location. This process
ensures there is a robust process for environmental management to minimise the potential for adverse
environmental outcomes.
Further information is provided on the Defence website: http://www.defence.gov.au/environment/impact.htm
6.2.5.2 TS13 Specific Controls
In addition to the AMB AWR SI, the following TS13 exercise specific environmental controls will be
implemented to manage possible environmental impacts at Saumarez Reef Training Area:
TS13 Environmental Management Plan
TS13 Combined Exercise Instruction (CEI)
TS13 Induction DVD and briefings
Environmental Management Group pre and post exercise monitoring
6.3 Townsville Field Training Area
Townsville Field Training Area is a military training area of approximately 208,000ha, located mainly
within the Charters Towers Regional Council local authority area, some 50 km southwest of Townsville.
Townsville Field Training Area comprises a High Range Training Area, acquired by the Commonwealth
in 1967, and Dotswood Station, purchased in 1988.
Townsville Field Training Area has a seasonal tropical climate, with most of the Townsville Field
Training Area semi-arid except for the north-eastern area in the vicinity of the Paluma Range, which
receives higher rainfall.
Townsville Field Training Area offers a wide variety of terrain types suitable for Training. The training
area has a 350 person camp in Kempvale Sector adjacent to Keelbottom Creek and 250 person camp
in Pretty Sector some 10 kilometres south east of Herveys Range Road. There are airfields located at
Kempvale Sector A, Horne Dam, Woolshed, Star and Dotswood homesteads and at Picanniny. A map
showing the location of the Townsville Field Training Area is provided in Figure 6.
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6.4.1 Environmental Values
Cowley Beach Training Area provides a variety of environments including beaches, near off-shore
areas, coastal wetlands and rainforest. Cowley Beach Training Area is located within the Wet Tropics
World Heritage Area (WTWHA) and is subject to management cooperation between the Wet Tropics
Management Authority and Defence. The key environmental features of Cowley Beach Training Area
are summarised in Table 21.
Table 21 | Key Environmental Values of Cowley Beach Training Area
Key Environmental Values of Cowley Beach Training Area
Environmental Value
Description
Geology, soils and topography
The majority of Cowley Beach Training Area occurs on Quaternary marine
deposits. The eastern half of Cowley Beach Training Area consists of
beach ridges and estuarine deposits of sands, muds and clays dominate
the western half of Cowley Beach Training Area.
Quaternary flood plain deposits occur on slightly higher land along the
south west boundary and peats have developed in freshwater swamps
along the margins of the estuarine and beach ridge deposits.
Three isolated uplands at Brown Range, Double Point and Esmeralda Hill
to Georgie Hill consist of Barnard Metamorphics.
Two beach ridge plains consisting of a series of parallel beach ridges with
slopes mainly below 1% cover more than 40% of Cowley Beach Training
Area. Tidal flats cover approximately 37% of Cowley Beach Training Area
and consist mainly of regularly inundated areas with mangroves and tidal
creeks.
Most of Cowley Beach Training Area is level or near level, and therefore
has low erosion hazard. There is potential for erosion on steep hills and
metamorphic rocks (HLA, 2004a).
Marine and Aquatic Environment
The marine waters adjacent to Cowley Beach Training Area (Coral Sea) are
contained within the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area, which form
part of the Marine Park.
The section of the Marine Park adjacent to Cowley Beach Training Area,
from the shore to the inner reefs (Ellison Reef), has been designated as a
Defence Area.
Three island groups lie within the Defence Area: North Barnard Islands,
South Barnard Islands and Linquist Island. Only Linquist Island is part of
Cowley Beach Training Area, the others are National Parks. The estuarine
areas located in the tidal mangrove swamp surrounding Mourilyan Creek
are also zoned National Park. The tidal mangrove swamps around the
Moresby River are nominated as an Estuarine Conservation zone
(HLA,2004b)
Five marine habitats occur in the vicinity of Cowley Beach Training Area,
including beaches and foredunes (Cowley, Browns and Robinson Beaches),
mangroves, rocky intertidal areas, seagrass and coral reef.
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Key Environmental Values of Cowley Beach Training Area
Environmental Value
Description
No marine ecological surveys have been conducted adjacent to Cowley
Beach Training Area. However, the marine area is likely to contain a high
diversity of protected marine fauna including marine reptiles, including the
Green Turtle and Saltwater Crocodile, and marine mammals, such as the
Indo-Pacific Humpback Dolphin, Irrawaddy Dolphin and Dugong. A list of
EPBC Act listed marine fauna potentially occurring in the marine area of
Cowley Beach Training Area is provided in Appendix E.
Streams and wetlands within Cowley Beach Training Area are generally
ephemeral ranging from very short coastal drainages to inter-dune swale
wetlands.
The swale wetlands and peat wetlands of Cowley Beach Training Area are
valuable habitat listed in the Directory of Important Wetlands (HLA, 2004b).
Flora and vegetation
Cowley Beach Training Area consists of a mosaic of lowland coastal
communities and habitats including rainforest, mangroves, open forests,
wetlands and beach dune communities. The extant habitats of Cowley
Beach Training Area are regionally and locally rare. The Cowley Beach
Training Area dune system provides one of the few large and intact areas
of sclerophyll vegetation on sand in the Wet Tropics.
Twenty three Regional Ecosystems have been identified in Cowley Beach
Training Area including state significant Regional Ecosystems. Most of the
vegetation consists of mangroves and dune/swale complex with smaller
areas of paperbark swamps in poorly drained areas and rainforest in the
north classed as ‘not of concern’ Regional Ecosystems.
Twenty three plant species of conservation significance were identified as
occurring or potentially occurring in Cowley Beach Training Area. Three of
these species have been recorded from Cowley Beach Training Area: the
nationally significant Myrmecodia beccarii (Melaleuca forest) and the state
significant Rourea brachyandra and Macaranga polyadenia (rainforest). A
list of EPBC Act listed flora species potentially occurring at Cowley Beach
Training Area is provided in Appendix E.
Fauna habitat The major fauna habitats at Cowley Beach Training Area are beach, littoral
sand, rainforest, mixed open forest, Melaleuca swamp, sedge swamp,
freshwater aquatic, estuarine aquatic and marine aquatic.
Three hundred and ninety-six terrestrial and marine fauna species that
have been recorded or have the potential to occur at Cowley Beach
Training Area including 54 terrestrial mammals, 241 birds, 28 frogs and 73
reptiles (including marine turtles and the saltwater crocodile). This includes
120 fauna species of state and national conservation significance.
Fauna species of highest conservation significance known or likely to occur
in Cowley Beach Training Area include the Southern Cassowary (known)
and the Little Tern (likely), both listed as endangered under the EPBC Act.
Cowley Beach Training Area is also notable for its nationally significant
populations of migratory birds.
EPBC Act listed fauna species potentially occurring at Cowley Beach
Training Area are provided in Appendix E.
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Key Environmental Values of Cowley Beach Training Area
Environmental Value
Description
Weeds and pests
Thirty five weed species have been identified along roads, in the camp area
and on the rocket range within Cowley Beach Training Area.
Twelve feral animal species have been recorded or have the potential to
occur at Cowley Beach Training Area including three declared animals
under the Queensland Land Protection (Pest and Stock Route
Management) Act 2002 (feral pig, dog and feral cat).
Heritage The Mamu and Djiru groups have traditional ties to the Cowley Beach
Training Area and are part of a broader ‘tribe’ of people referred to as the
rainforest cultural group.
A cultural heritage survey identified several use sites within Cowley Beach
Training Area including rock shelters/overhangs, fish trap/fishing zone,
fishing platforms, settlement/school site, middens and settlement/camp site,
which are of local or regional Aboriginal and / or European cultural heritage
significance (HLA, 2004a). The study concluded that none of these
heritage sites would meet the criteria for inclusion on the Register of
National Estate.
Social aspects Local residents enjoy the use of Cowley Beach immediately adjoining
Cowley Beach Training Area. Cowley Beach Training Area is signposted
and during amphibious or live firing exercises the beach is closed to civilian
access.
Mourilyan Harbour lies to the north of Cowley Beach Training Area. This is
a major sugar loading port and also provides facilities for small water craft.
Defence uses the anchorage during poor weather.
Areas immediately adjoining the western boundary of Cowley Beach
Training Area have been cleared for sugar cane farming. Defence interacts
with the local community through liaison with landholders with respect to
weed and feral animal control and fire management and through its active
participation in the Johnstone River Catchment Management Group.
Matters of National Environmental Significance
World Heritage Properties: Marine section of Cowley Beach Training Area
is included in the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area. Cowley Beach
Training Area is also located within the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area
(WTWHA).
National Heritage Places: Great Barrier Reef and Wet Tropics of
Queensland are both National Heritage places.
Listed Threatened Ecological Communities; Littoral rainforest and coastal
vine thickets of Eastern Australia. Threatened species (31) and migratory
species (33) that may, or are known to occur at the site are listed in
Appendix E.
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6.4.2 Planned Activities
It is noted that these potential exercises are representative of those activities undertaken at Cowley Beach Training Area, as part of the on-going ADF training program at this location, and are not limited to the TS13 Exercise.
Table 22 | TS13 Planned Activities at Cowley Beach Training Area
TS13 Planned Activities at Cowley Beach Training Area
Sphere TS13 Planned Activities
Maritime Routine passage and manoeuvres of ships and other small watercraft
Anchoring
Hovercraft operations
Ballast water uptake and discharge
Amphibious landings, including Logistics Over The Shore activities (movement
of stores and equipment from ship to shore)
Vehicle manoeuvre in the coastal zone on the beach and dedicated
routes/assembly areas.
Air Helicopter flying including low-level (<1,000ft), take off/landing and troop
insertions.
Land Movement of vehicles from the coastal zone through the Cowley Beach
Training Area on existing internal roads/tracks.
Non ADF Vehicle convoys in transit by road from Cowley Beach Training Area.
6.4.3 Potential Risks and Impacts
Table 23 | Potential Impacts at Cowley Beach Training Area
Potential Impacts at Cowley Beach Training Area
Environmental Aspect
Potential Impacts
Marine environment
Damage to seagrass beds, mangroves and/or coral reefs from anchoring or
accidental grounding of vessels. Disturbance to the sea floor may also
result in release of sediments and degradation of water quality.
Accidental harm to marine fauna caused by collisions from vessel
manoeuvres and amphibious landings.
Vessel accidents that may result in oil and/or fuel spills causing localised
pollution that may impact on marine habitat and fauna.
Accidental release of hazardous liquid waste from ships (used for
maintenance) that may cause degradation of water quality and impact
marine habitat / fauna.
Intentional release of liquid waste (bilge water, grey water or wastewater)
that may cause degradation of water quality and impact on marine habitat /
fauna.
Accidental release of waste (litter) from ships is washed up on beaches or
ingested by marine fauna causing localised pollution that may impact on
marine fauna.
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Potential Impacts at Cowley Beach Training Area
Environmental Aspect
Potential Impacts
Noise emissions from small water craft manoeuvring inshore may disturb
sensitive marine fauna.
The operation of small water craft inshore disturbs seagrass beds and
mangroves that may impact on marine habitat and fauna.
Introduction of marine pests by vessels visiting training areas.
Terrestrial Environment
Damage or disturbance to dune vegetation and protected fauna (seabird
roosts and turtle nests) from vehicle manoeuvres in the coastal zone
(beach)
Damage or disturbance to cultural heritage sites along the Cowley,
Robinson and Brown Beaches from amphibious landings
Dispersal of weeds and / or pests from vehicle and equipment movements
within the training area
Soil erosion caused by vehicles using unsealed roads within the training
area
Accidental spill/leak of oils/ fuels from vehicle movements within the
training area.
Atmospheric environment
Air pollution and subsequent climate change from the use of hydrocarbons
as fuels, the rate of consumption of which is increased in armoured
vehicles.
Air pollution due to smoke emissions from accidental fire / explosions from
storage, transport and / or handling of ammunition on vessels.
Built environment
Damage to roads from military convoy
Damage to adjacent public / private property infrastructure due to bushfires
started during live firing, pyrotechnic activities or exploding projectiles,
rockets and inert munitions.
Defence personnel and civilian health and safety
Health and safety implications to Defence personnel or civilians due to
bushfires started during live firing, pyrotechnic activities or exploding
projectiles, rockets, mortars and inert munitions.
Health and safety risk from unexploded ordnance accumulation
Injury or death to Defence personnel or civilians due to accidental fire /
explosions from storage, transport and/or handling of ammunition.
6.4.4 Mitigation Measures
6.4.4.1 Current Environmental Controls
Provisions in place to manage the day-to-day environmental and heritage attributes of Cowley Beach
Training Area are listed below.
6.4.4.1.1 Cowley Beach Training Area Environmental Management Plan and Standing Orders
An EMP has been prepared to integrate management for Cowley Beach Training Area. The Cowley
Beach Training Area EMP provides specific details on the obligations that Defence is required to
undertake in accordance with the proposed Defence uses on the training area.
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The Standing Orders for Cowley Beach Training Area set out the environmental conditions that must
be met by all users of Cowley Beach Training Area and provide specific instructions for environmental
management at Cowley Beach Training Area (ADF, 2001).
6.4.4.1.2 Cowley Beach Training Area Land Management Plan
A Land Management Plan has been prepared to facilitate the sustainable use of Cowley Beach
Training Area and is based on the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of Defence Training
Activities at Cowley Beach Training Area. The need for the Land Management Plan arose from the
provisions of the Wet Tropics Management Plan (1998) policy document Protection through
Partnerships (1997). Together, the EIA and EMP fulfil the Wet Tropics Management Plan policy of ‘an
agreed Defence Use Management Code of Practice… and an approved Environmental Management
Plan’ for the Cowley Beach Training Area. The Land Management Plan provides a strategy for
managing training activities and maintenance activities.
6.4.4.1.3 Environment Officers
Environment Officers are professional environmental personnel that manage specific Defence areas.
The SEM and EOs for the Northern Queensland region are responsible for management of
environmental issues at Cowley Beach Training Area.
6.4.4.1.4 Environmental Clearance Certificates
Defence manages the identified potential environmental impacts of specific activities through an
internal protocol known as an Environmental Clearance Certificate (ECC). All activities undertaken at a
Range or Training Area must have an approved Environmental Clearance Certificate which must be
reviewed and reissued if there is a change to the activity or change in the location. This process
ensures there is a robust process for environmental management to minimise the potential for adverse
environmental outcomes. Further information is provided on the Defence website:
http://www.defence.gov.au/environment/impact.htm
6.4.4.2 TS13Specific Environmental Controls
In addition, the following TS13 exercise specific environmental controls will be implemented to manage
possible environmental impacts at Townsville Field Training Area:
TS13 Environmental Management Plan
TS13 Combined Exercise Instruction (CEI)
TS13 Induction DVD and briefings
Equipment Standard Operating Procedures
Spill containment equipment and response procedures
Environmental Management Group pre and post exercise monitoring
Traffic Management Plan
6.5 Canungra Field Training Area
The Canungra Military Area is approximately 6000 ha in size consisting of the built working area (the
Cantonment) and the Canungra Field Training Area (CFTA). It is located in the Gold Coast Hinterland
approximately 90km south of Brisbane and 35km west of Surfers Paradise (Broadbeach). Being
within the hinterland, the terrain comprises the highly undulating foothills of the Great Dividing Range
and deep river gullies including of the Coomera River. Within the Training Area, the elevation
difference between the peaks to gullies can be 450m. The area of the cantonment is of flatter
topography, constructed on slightly sloping land overall with five (5) distinct gullies running roughly
east-west though the property. These gullies have approximately 15m elevation difference to the built
flatter area. An informal ‘buffer’ of open space between the Cantonment and the training area exists –
consisting mainly of disturbed and managed open space providing a golf course, married quarters,
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6.5.1 Environmental Values
The Cantonment, and the adjacent cleared open space areas including the potential Landing Zone,
are heavily disturbed and undergo on-going management. Although these areas are void of native
vegetation they still support fauna populations such as macropods and are surrounded by native
vegetation.
Canungra Field Training Area is listed on the Commonwealth Heritage List for its natural values. It
also contains sub-tropical rainforest and is important for its diverse landscape and as a key wildlife
corridor between the coastal lowlands and the conservation areas at Mt Tamborine, Springbrook and
Lamington National Parks. CFTA supports a number of threatened wildlife EPBC Act listed species
and State listed species. CFTA supports 13 different Regional Ecosystems (RE's) mapped under the
Queensland vegetation management system. These Regional Ecosystems contain some vegetation
communities that are considered 'endangered' and 'of concern'.
Table 24 | Key Environmental Values of Canungra Training Area
Key Environmental Values of Canungra Training Area
Environmental Value
Description
Geology, soils and topography
The mountain foothills within which Canungra Military area is located is predominantly volcanic – however there are areas of sedimentary and metamorphic rock as a result of the Ranges’ development. The cantonment and land near the Coomera River and other waterways sees alluvial deposits as a common geology associated with on-going erosion and deposition. These alluvial soils have a clay component and some have reactive soil characteristics.
The Coomera River passes through the property and provides a physical transition between the Cantonment and the Training Area. The Coomera River has been noted as of ‘exceptional health and integrity’ (per Commonwealth Heritage Listing details). The Coomera River and its feeder streams are ephemeral, relying on local rainfall for flow levels. A small weir has been constructed near the Cantonment too support the local water supply. Both the waterways and the weir support a range of aquatic life.
The terrain of the Cantonment and the associated managed open space areas is substantially flatter than the training area and has a gentle slope downward to the Coomera River. The Cantonment itself is built on ridges of five gullies that trend east-west, linked by roads and areas of reduced gully depth. The managed open space areas near the river are of low elevation and flat.
The terrain of the training area is varied from ridges and mountain peaks to river and waterway gullies. Some sections may have terrain changes from 550m (AHD) to 100m (AHD) in the gullies – an elevation difference of 400m or more, slopes vary accordingly – with most slopes of between 1-5
but some slopes are as much as
20o.
Flora and vegetation
The Cantonment and associated open space areas is highly disturbed and subject to on-going management. There is a mix of native and exotic flora species in the Cantonment for landscaping. Areas of open space, particularly the helicopter landing areas and the golf course, are maintained with low cut grasses.
The majority of the Training Area is contained on the Commonwealth Heritage List for its natural values – notably for its Eucalypt forests and the landscape character supported by the vegetation.
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Key Environmental Values of Canungra Training Area
Environmental Value
Description
Fauna and flora habitat
A number of protected flora species and fauna species have been recorded or have suitable habitat in the vegetated Training Area. There are 23 EPBC listed threatened flora species listed as likely to occur on this site, including various Orchids, Wild Macadamia, ,Onion Cedar, Ball Nut, jointed baloghia, Stinking cryptocarya, Zieria collina, nightcap plectranthus and the Notophyll vine forests that support the Richmond Birdwing Butterfly populations. A wide range of fauna species have also been observed on the site, and the site includes either suitable habitat or known populations for a range of listed species that includes:
Koala (Phascolarctos cinereus)
Fleay's frog (Mixiophes fleayi)
Giant Barred Frog (Mixophes iterates)
Brush Tailed Rock Wallaby (Petrogale penicillata)
Spot-Tailed Quoll (Dasyurus maculatus maculatus)
Northern Quoll (Dasyurus hallucatus)
Other notable species known to be present on the site include Yellow -Bellied
Gliders, Superb Lyrebirds, Black Breasted Button Quail, Richmond Birdwing
Butterfly, Echidna and Potaroo.
Weeds and pests
Land clearing and disturbance in the cantonment, open space areas, roads and infrastructure provides an opportunity for weeds to establish. Weeds found in these areas include Camphor Laurel, Chinese Elm, Verbena, Annual Ragweed, Wild Tobacco, Groundsel, Easter Cassia, Silver-leafed Desmodium, and Lantana. Weeds have mainly become established along the waterways, roads and open and/or exposed areas. Annual ongoing weed management programs continue to be undertaken to minimise the presence of these weeds.
The rugged terrain and high vegetation cover of the training area provides opportunities for feral animals. Known species include the European Red Fox, wild dog and feral cat. The European hare, although not recorded on the property, is also likely to exist. The Cantonment, being a more disturbed and open site, with management of attractive elements (eg food supply) is believed to be less affected by pests.
The areas of managed open space would be visited by pests but provide little
protection. An annual pest management program is also undertaken mainly
targeting wild dog, fox and wild cat populations.
Indigenous heritage
A number of Indigenous Heritage sites have previously been identified by survey. Sites are located both on and around the cantonment area as well as the Training Area. These include scarred trees, scatters of artefacts, graves, important ritual sites and sites of occupation.
European heritage
A survey in 2008 identified 24 sites of potential historic European heritage within the cantonment area. Ratings of these sites varied from high significance, to little significance. Some of the 24 sites no longer exist. A formal assessment as part of a listing process has been undertaken but is out of date and need updating. These sites include memorials, office buildings, messing and accommodations buildings and chapel.
The TA contains a number of potential European and Military heritage sites that have not been formally assessed or recorded.
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Key Environmental Values of Canungra Training Area
Environmental Value
Description
Social aspects The Canungra property is surrounded by rural land uses, small villages and the towns of Canungra and Mount Tambourine.
The Cantonment is accessible from one road. The landscape of the area results in villages and the Defence property being physically separated by the mountains and vegetation. The operation of the Military site has little impact on the surrounding communities, other than some local business.
A key challenge for the property is, by its location in the hinterland, the narrow and sometimes winding road to reach the major highways of the coastal strip (eg leading to Brisbane). This challenge is heightened with larger-than-average military vehicles and the number of vehicles (convoy).
Matter of National Environmental Significance
As previously noted, the site contains both potential habitat and known populations for a range of flora and fauna species listed under the EPBC Act. The site also contains areas that may be visited by up to 16 migratory species. While the TA is within the catchment for the Moreton Bay Ramsar Wetland, it is significantly removed from the site itself (over 30 km) making impacts unlikely.
Threatened species and migratory species that may, or are known to occur at the site are listed in Appendix G.
6.5.2 Planned Activities
It is noted that these potential exercises are representative of those activities undertaken at Canungra Military Area, as part of the on-going ADF training program at this location, and are not limited to the TS13 Exercise.
Table 25 | TS13 Planned Activities at Canungra Training Area
TS13 Planned Activities at Canungra Training Area
Sphere TS13 Planned Activities
Air Aircraft overflights for Parachute jumps
Land Landing of parachutists in designated location – Mango Flats Helicopter
landing Zone
Vehicle move-out of parachutists (personnel and equipment)
Observation points and communications point
Deployment of smoke canisters to locate drop zone
6.5.3 Potential Risks and Impacts
Table 26 | Potential Impacts at Canungra Training Area
Potential Impacts at Canungra Training Area
Environmental
Aspect
Potential Impacts
Terrestrial environment
Uncontrolled clearing of vegetation
Dispersal of weeds and / or pests from vehicle and equipment movements
within the training area
Soil erosion and damage to track infrastructure caused by vehicles using
unsealed roads or leaving designated tracks and fire trails within the
training area
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Potential Impacts at Canungra Training Area
Environmental
Aspect
Potential Impacts
Unplanned fire due to smoke flares and other military pyrotechnics
Road strike/trampling of fauna and flora
Pollution from rubbish, hydrocarbons or human waste
Atmospheric environment
Air pollution (minor) from the use of hydrocarbons as fuels
Air pollution (minor) from smoke canisters used to designate the landing zone
Smoke pollution from unplanned fires
6.5.4 Mitigation Measures
6.5.4.1 Current Environmental Controls
Provisions in place to manage the day-to-day environmental and heritage attributes of the Canungra
Training Area are listed below.
6.5.4.1.1 Canungra Field Training Area (CFTA) Standing Orders
Training Area Standing Orders apply to all planned activities at CFTA during TS13, managed by the
Range Control Officer.
6.5.4.1.2 Site Based Environment Officers
Environment Officers are professional environmental personnel that manage specific Defence areas.
The SEM and EOs for the Southern Queensland region are responsible for management of
environmental issues at Canungra Field Training Area.
6.5.4.1.3 Environmental Clearance Certificates
Defence manages the identified potential environmental impacts of specific activities through an
internal protocol known as an Environmental Clearance Certificate (ECC). All activities undertaken at
a Range or Training Area must have an approved Environmental Clearance Certificate which must be
reviewed and reissued if there is a change to the activity or change in the location. This process
ensures there is still a robust process for environmental management to minimise the potential for
adverse environmental outcomes.
Further information is provided on the Defence website:
http://www.defence.gov.au/environment/impact.htm
6.5.4.2 TS13 Environmental Controls
In addition, the following TS11 exercise specific environmental controls will be implemented to manage
possible environmental impacts at Canungra Field Training Area:
TS13 Environmental Management Plan
TS13 Combined Exercise Instruction (CEI)
TS13 Induction DVD and briefings
Equipment Standard Operating Procedures
Spill containment equipment and response procedures
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6.6 Delamere Range Facility
6.6.1 Description of the area
The Delamere Range Facility is located approximately 125 km south-west of Katherine, on the
eastern edge of the Sturt Plateau, in the Northern Territory. It is accessed by the Buntine Highway
via the Victoria Highway. The Delamere Range Facility is an important gazetted Defence Practice
Area – providing air to ground and on-ground weapons firing and bombing training - for the ADF.
These activities support operational readiness training in offensive air and ground support and
strategic interdiction.
6.6.2 Environmental Values
Delamere Range Facility lies at the southern reach of the seasonal monsoon high rainfall zone and the
northern reach of the arid inland zone. As a consequence it contains vegetation characteristic of both
these climatic zones. Vegetation primarily consists of woodland and forest communities with broad,
shallow drainage lines supporting sparse to dense grassland and open woodland.
Delamere Range Facility is broadly contained within a poorly watered flat to gently undulating plateau,
which consists of a virtually featureless plain with entrenched broad shallow valleys up to 1km wide
that form headwater catchment of several creeks to the north east. The landscape comprises all the
elements of the erosion sequence including source, transit and sink areas.
There are no marine areas associated with the Delamere Range Facility. A regional map showing the
Delamere Range Facility area is provided in Figure 8.
Two US Marines help secure a beach during TS11
Delamere Range Facility
Figure 8: Locality MapDelamere Range Facility Queensland° 0 5Kilometers
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6.10.5.2 TS13 Specific Environmental Controls
In addition, the following TS13 exercise specific environmental controls will be implemented to manage
possible environmental impacts within the Arafura and Timor Seas:
TS13 Environmental Management Plan
TS13 Combined Exercise Instruction (CEI)
TS13 Induction DVD and briefings
Equipment Standard Operating Procedures
Environmental Management Group pre and post exercise monitoring
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7.1 Overview
A number of sites will be required to support the TS13 Exercise. These support sites typically provide
the following types of requirements: aircraft and aviation facilities, personnel transit and temporary
accommodation, delivery of supplies and equipment and similar logistics and staging activities. The
support sites and their description are summarized in Table 42.
Table 42 | Summary of Support Sites
Support Sites
Support Site Description and Location
RAAF Base Townsville
RAAF Base Townsville is located in Garbutt, 5 km west of the Townsville CBD in a developed urban / residential area. RAAF Base Townsville air movement areas and some airside services are shared with the Townsville International Airport. The combined RAAF Base / Airport site is identified as a Joint User Airport under the Commonwealth Airports Act 1996.
Adjoining the property to the north is the Townsville Town Common Conservation Park.
RAAF Base Amberley
RAAF Base Amberley is located 8 km from Ipswich, and approximately 50 km south-west of Brisbane.
This base is a major operational and deployment base for the Air Force.
RAAF Base Darwin
RAAF Base Darwin is located approximately 7 km north-east of the Darwin CBD. RAAF Base Darwin air movement areas and some airside services are shared with the Darwin International Airport. The combined RAAF Base / Airport site is identified as a Joint User Airport under the Commonwealth Airports Act 1996.
RAAF Base Tindal
RAAF Base Tindal is located approximately 13 km south east of Katherine (NT) and approximately 230 km south-east of Darwin.
The Base is approximately 12,200 ha of land. It is surrounded by pastoral and agricultural land, with quarries and the Cutta Cutta Caves National Park also in the area.
RAAF Base Richmond
RAAF Base Richmond is located approximately 50 km north west of the Sydney CBD and within the Sydney metropolitan area.
It is located adjacent to agricultural land uses leading to the Hawkesbury River and to residential land uses.
Rockhampton Airport
Rockhampton Airport is located 5 km to the west of the Rockhampton CBD. It is owned by the Rockhampton City Council.
Defence leases facilities within the Airport property.
7 Support Sites
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Support Sites
Support Site Description and Location
Western Street Rockhampton Multi-User Depot
The Multi-User Depot is located in Western Street, Rockhampton.
The site comprises a number of office and training building, storage and open areas.
It is routinely used by military Reserve personnel and as temporary accommodation and equipment staging support for personnel attending training activities at SWBTA.
Port of Townsville
The Port of Townsville is located approximately 3 km to the north-east of Townsville CBD. It is an important sea port for Townsville and north Queensland, also serving the mining communities in western Queensland.
The port is used to both import and export goods. Imports include refined fuel products, nickel ore, vehicles and general cargo. Exports include refined metals, cattle and beef, sugar industry products.
The Port is also a regular stop for cruise ships and naval vessels.
Port of Gladstone
The Port of Gladstone is located approximately 520 km north of Brisbane and 2 km north of Gladstone on the town outskirts. It is an important Port for Central Queensland including inland areas with resource mining industries.
The main cargoes handled through the Port are based on these mining industries including coal and petroleum products, bauxite and its refined alumina and aluminium, and wheat.
Port Alma Port Alma is located approximately 60 km south of Rockhampton and is the sea-port for Rockhampton.
The main cargoes handled through the port are some explosives and chemicals (including used by the mining industry), bulk tallow and military equipment on transit to SWBTA.
Port of Darwin The Port of Darwin, and in particular Fort Hill Wharf, is located approximately 1.5 km from Darwin CBD. The Wharf is used mainly for visiting cruise ships and naval operations. Port of Darwin also consists of Stokes Hill Wharf and East Arm Wharf.
Sections 7.2, 7.3 and 7.4 following provide details of these sites including:
Description of the areas
Environmental values
Planned military activities
Potential risks and impacts of those activities
Mitigation measures
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7.2 Aviation - RAAF Bases and Civil Airports
A number of RAAF Bases and civil airports will be utilised for aircraft movements and to
facilitate movement of personnel and equipment between Defence properties. A list and
description of these sites is provided below in Table 43.
Table 43 | RAAF Bases and Civil Airports
RAAF Bases and Civil Airports
RAAF Base / Civil Airport
Site Description
RAAF Base Townsville, North Queensland
RAAF Base Townsville is located on approximately 700 ha of land, 5 km west of the Townsville CBD. RAAF Base Townsville air movement areas and some airside services are shared with the Townsville International Airport. The combined RAAF Base / Airport site is identified as a Joint User Airport under the Commonwealth Airports Act 1996. Military aircraft operations and civil aircraft operations – regular passenger and general aviation – are co-ordinated and directed by the Townsville Air Traffic Control tower.
The surrounding land uses include light industrial uses to the south, residential to
the east, open public spaces to the north (Rowes Bay) and the Townsville Town
Common Conservation Park. This Park, managed by Queensland Parks and
Wildlife Service, is an ephemeral wetland listed on the Register of the National
Estate. The RAAF Base is built on low lying wetlands and coastal sediments and
forms part of the local wetlands system that includes the Town Commons.
RAAF Base Amberley, South Queensland
RAAF Base Amberley is the largest operational base for the ADF and is located 8 km from Ipswich and 50 km southwest of Brisbane. RAAF Base Amberley covers an area of 330 ha. The Cunningham Highway runs close to the Base and provides the major road link.
The Base is bordered to the north, west and east by the Bremer River, and Warrill
Creek to the south and east. The proximity and nature of these waterways poses a
flood risk to proximate portions of the Base. The area surrounding the Base is
primarily agricultural, with some residential areas which lead into Ipswich city to the
north-west.
RAAF Base Darwin, Northern Territory
RAAF Base Darwin covers an area of approximately 1,300 ha and is located 7 km from the Darwin CBD. Darwin International Airport is located northwest of the RAAF Base, The combined RAAF Base / Airport site is identified as a Joint User Airport under the Commonwealth Airports Act 1996. Military aircraft operations and civil aircraft operations – regular passenger and general aviation – are co-ordinated and directed by the Darwin Air Traffic Control tower. The Darwin International Airports owner has supported some non-aviation development to occur on its property.
Surrounding land uses include recreation, residential areas, open space, semi
broad acre commercial and agricultural development, rural small holdings and light
industrial uses. The RAAF Base is located at the headwaters of the Rapid Creek
catchment which includes Marrara Swamp.
A number of sites of Heritage value exist on the Base that are contained within the
Commonwealth Heritage List. These include the Commanding Officers Residence,
Water Tower, two types of Tropical House and the Base Precinct which contains on-
Base living accommodations (some dated pre-1945), messing, cinema and chapel,
as well as recognising the overall layout and streetscape of the precinct.
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RAAF Bases and Civil Airports
RAAF Base / Civil Airport
Site Description
RAAF Base Tindal, Northern Territory
RAAF Base Tindal is the main tactical fighter Base in the Northern Territory and is located approximately 320 km south-east of Darwin and approximately 13 km south-east of the township of Katherine. The base lies adjacent to the Stuart Highway, which provides direct access to Katherine and Darwin. RAAF Base Tindal covers approximately 12,200 ha of land.
RAAF Base Tindal is the main fighter aircraft base in the Northern Territory and hosts both Australian and foreign fighter squadrons, including US and other nations. The fighter role of the base is supported thorough weapons exercises conducted at the nearby Delamere Range Facility.
Tindal Creek flows through the site, a tributary of the Katherine River, and is an
ephemeral stream that is subject to flooding. The base is underlain by Tindal
limestone and there are numerous sinkholes at the site that may support rainforest
habitats as well as the potential for caves that support troglodytic fauna. The Base
is surrounded by pastoral and agricultural land, quarries and the Cutta Cutta Caves
National Park.
RAAF Base Williamtown
RAAF Base Williamtown is located approximately 20 km north of Newcastle (NSW)
It is located adjacent to pastoral land, to Stockton Beach (Woormi Conservation Land) and the Tomago Sandbeds (Hunter Water Catchment Area)
RAAF Base Richmond
NSW
RAAF Base Richmond is located between the communities of Windsor and Richmond of the Sydney Metropolitan Area, and approximately 50 km to the north west of Sydney CBD. It is bound to the northern side by agricultural land uses leading down to the Hawkesbury River. On the southern side are residential and other urban land uses.
RAAF Base Richmond is contained on the Commonwealth Heritage List for its historic heritage values.
The base is known for its transport aircraft including Hercules aircraft supplying military equipment and various supplies – particularly in support of disaster relief.
Rockhampton Airport, Central Queensland
Rockhampton Airport is located 5 km from the Rockhampton CBD, with immediate surrounds comprising predominately residential, light industrial and agricultural land uses.
Rockhampton Airport is often utilised in the transport of military personnel (including by direct international charter) to Rockhampton Airport for transit to SWBTA (which is located approximately 70 km to the north). To facilitate this, Defence leases facilities at Rockhampton Airport. Rockhampton has traditionally been the main logistic and administrative support location for major Exercises.
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7.2.1 Planned Activities
RAAF Bases Amberley, Townsville, Darwin, Tindal and Richmond will be used for aircraft take-off and
landing, refuelling and loading of ordnance. Aircraft involved will range in type from jet fighters to
transport carriers. In addition personnel may also transit through these Bases (onto a training area)
and also will temporarily camp (and their equipment will be stored) at RAAF Base Townsville
Rockhampton Airport will be used for its airfield facilities, associated apron areas and Defence leased
areas including Operations Technical (Optech) facilities. Aircraft landing and take-off including
refuelling will occur at Rockhampton Airport, with land movement of personnel and equipment from
the airport to the Western St Rockhampton facility.
All activities planned for these support sites are consistent with the activities currently undertaken at
these locations on a regular basis.
There will be a comparatively minor requirement for aircraft movement of personnel and equipment,
refuelling of aircraft and force build- up requiring landing and take-off of military aircraft at Brisbane
and Cairns airports. This is routine in nature for both military aircraft and the airports.
7.2.2 Potential Risks and Impacts
Key potential environmental impacts for RAAF Bases and civil airports (Aviation) include:
Fuel spills during aircraft refuelling
Translocation of weeds and / or pests from movement of vehicles, equipment and troops into or
from the airport property
Vehicle noise and road safety issues arising from movement of troops, vehicles and equipment
Ordnance detonation
Aircraft noise, in particular any changes in number, noise profile, etc. from the norm
7.2.3 Mitigation Measures
7.2.3.1 Current Environmental Controls
There are a number of provisions in place to manage the day-to-day environmental and heritage
attributes.
7.2.3.1.1 Standing Instructions
Standing Instructions have been developed for RAAF Bases Townsville, Amberley, Tindal, and Darwin
to provide the minimum safety measures and environmental considerations to be observed by all users
of the Bases and are to be read in conjunction with current instructions and training publications. The
Standing Instructions provide location-specific information on the environmental compliance
responsibilities, terrestrial, marine and estuarine safeguards and heritage protection.
7.2.3.1.2 Awareness Cards
RAAF Base Townsville and RAAF Base Darwin will be supplied with the Awareness Card pocket
reference issued to all personnel involved in TS13 at each of these Bases. Summarised information
includes management of waste, heritage areas, plants and animals, soil and erosion issues, and
appropriate use and management of marine areas.
7.2.3.1.3 Environmental Management Systems
Site specific Environmental Management Systems are in place at RAAF Bases Townsville, Amberley,
Williamtown and Richmond. The Environmental Management System for RAAF Base Townsville has
been certified to the international standard, ISO 14001.
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7.2.3.1.4 Environment Officers
Environment Officers are professional environmental personnel that manage specific Defence areas.
Within these groups, there is an Environment Officer responsible for management of Ranges and
Training Areas. The RAAF bases involved in TS13 are supported by SEMs and EOs from the
respective Defence Management Regions. The Environment Officer is responsible for management of
environment issues on the site, including implementation of environmental management programmes
and monitoring.
7.2.3.1.5 Environmental Clearance Certificates
Defence manages the identified potential environmental impacts of specific activities through an
internal protocol known as an Environmental Clearance Certificate (ECC). Activities undertaken at a
property that area assessed, typically by the authorised property Environment Officers, as being
environmentally detrimental must have an approved ECC. This Certificate must be reviewed and
reissued if there is a change to the activity or change in the location. This process ensures there is a
robust process for environmental management to minimise the potential for adverse environmental
outcomes.
Further information is provided on the Defence website:
http://www.defence.gov.au/environment/impact.htm
7.2.3.2 TS13 Specific Environmental Controls
In addition, the following TS13 exercise specific environmental controls will be implemented to manage
possible environmental impacts at the support sites:
TS13 Environmental Management Plan
TS13 Combined Exercise Instruction (CEI)
Equipment Standard Operating Procedures
Safety procedures and buffer zones
Traffic Management Plan
Each military unit involved in TS13 will have a unit Environmental Liaison Officer who will be tasked
with promoting environmental awareness and ensuring that environmental controls are implemented,
and risks minimised.
7.3 Depots and Staging Sites
Table 44 | Staging Properties
Depots
Depot Site Site Description
Western Street Rockhampton Multi-User Depot, Central Queensland
The Defence property at 68 Western Street Rockhampton, is approximately 37.6 ha and is located adjacent to Rockhampton Airport.
The core function of the site is as a multi-user depot for reserve personnel yet has an alternate and important function to support exercises conducted in SWBTA.
During major combined exercises up to 2,000 personnel occupy the Western Street property. Current facilities at the Western Street site include purpose built facilities for operations support and a 500 person camp with a limited assortment of spare facilities.
Staging may be undertaken at other Defence sites, such as within Training areas – but those staging
activities will be captured as part of the overall planned activities in the training area.
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7.3.3.2 TS13 Specific Environmental Controls
In addition, the following TS13 Exercise specific environmental controls will be implemented to
manage possible environmental impacts at the support sites:
TS13 Environmental Management Plan
TS13 Combined Exercise Instruction (CEI)
Equipment Standard Operating Procedures
Safety procedures and buffer zones
Traffic Management Plan
Each military unit involved in TS13 will have a Unit Environmental Liaison Officer who will be tasked
with promoting environmental awareness and ensuring that environmental controls are implemented
and risks minimised.
7.4 Port Facilities
A number of port facilities will be utilised for entry and exit of personnel, discharge of cargo (such as to
support Training Areas and minimise road traffic) and to support Naval vessel departures to and return
from off-shore Exercise activities. A list and description of these Ports is provided below in Table 45.
All ports, excluding Military activities, are operational 24 hrs per day; seven days a week.
Table 45 | Port Facilities
Port Facilities
Port Facility Site Descriptions
Port of Gladstone
The Port of Gladstone is located 525 km north of Brisbane and near Gladstone city. The ports’ facilities cater for the import of raw material and the export of finished product associated with major resource-based industries in the region. In particular this includes the coal and mineral mining industries and agricultural resources.
The Port is managed by Gladstone Ports Corporation - being a statutory corporation of the Queensland Government. Management includes provision of dredging and security measures; berthing and port operations.
The Port consists of 15 operational berths, with an additional berth under construction. This includes a dedicated tanker berth. Some berths are owned independently (such as by mining companies) for their use; other are owned by Gladstone Port Corporation and are available for multiple (non-dedicated) use.
Port Alma Port Alma is the ocean port for the city of Rockhampton and provides import and export facilities. Port Alma is a deep water harbour offering security and shelter that can accommodate vessels up to 180 m in length.
It is the main designated port on the East coast of Australia to handle explosive material and chemical.
The Port is managed by Gladstone Ports Corporation - being a statutory corporation of the Queensland Government. Management includes provision of dredging and security measures; berthing and port operations.
The Port consists of three operational berths.
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Port Facilities
Port Facility Site Descriptions
Port of Townsville
The port of Townsville is a significant access cargo imports and exports for north Queensland. The port supports the immediate region as well as inland areas to outback Queensland. Imports include refined fuel products, nickel ore, vehicles and general cargo. Exports include refined metals, cattle and beef, raw sugar and molasses.
Safe operation of the port is guided by Maritime Safety Queensland. Port operating procedures take into consideration the environmental aspects of its location, in particular the nearby marine environment of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and World Heritage Areas.
The port is also in proximity to residential areas.
The Port is managed by the Port of Townsville Ltd - being a statutory corporation of the Queensland Government. Management includes provision of dredging and security measures; berthing and port operations.
The Port consists of nine operational berths, including a dedicated tanker berth. There are a number of breakwaters in the Port area that create a safe harbour.
Port Darwin Port of Darwin is a naturally occurring deep water port. It is one of only a few ports near an urban centre for the northern coast of Australia and so provides access to coastal areas east and west, as well as the shipping routes into Asia.
The Port of Darwin consists of three civil use wharfs, as well as port facilities at HMAS
Coonawarra (mainly patrol boats).
The three civil wharfs are:
East Arm Wharf – mainly for cargo of containers and resource based goods
Stokes Wharf – primarily a tourist location of non-maritime function. Also
provides the embarkation point for harbour cruises.
Fort Hill Wharf – predominantly used for cruise ship docking, non-cargo ship
docking and Naval ships
7.4.1 Planned Activities
Wharves at Port of Gladstone, Port Alma, Port of Brisbane, Port of Townsville and Port of Darwin will
be used for the entry of naval personnel and discharge of cargo from vessels. It should be noted that
the TS13 exercise munitions / explosives will be off-loaded from ships at a licensed facility at the Port
of Darwin and Port Alma or Port of Gladstone for activities in the Northern Territory and Queensland
respectively. These munitions will then be transported by road. This is standard practice and such
movement of munitions and explosives is undertaken not only by Defence but also other industries.
At Townsville Port, in-stream and pier-side cargo discharge from vessels will be necessary.
Associated activity may include underwater hydrography (by swimmers), vessel manoeuvres and
Special Forces helicopter-platform exercises.
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7.4.2 Potential Risks and Impacts
Significant potential environmental risks and impacts for ports include:
Accidental fires / explosions during ammunition handling, transport or storage during transfer of
stores from ship to port during berthing, and from port to road vehicles
Release of contaminants (petrol, oils and lubricants or chemicals (POL)) due to storage vessel
rupture on port wharf areas
Inadvertent release of solid materials (non-waste) such as equipment into the sea during
anchoring within ports
Introduction of marine pests via release of ballast water, in a non-compliance area within port
Biosecurity risks due to inadequate quarantine measures
7.4.3 Mitigation Measures
7.4.3.1 Current Environmental Controls
7.4.3.2 Current Environmental Controls
7.4.3.2.1 Standard Operating Procedures
Defence has established Standard Operating Procedures (SOP’s) that include environmental controls, for the handling, storage and movement of munitions, explosives and other hazardous materials. Procedures also cover the enacting of safety zones (exclusion zones) at times of handling and storing those materials.
7.4.3.2.2 Maritime Activities Environmental Management Plan
All maritime activity must accord with the ADF Maritime Activities EMP, planning guides and Procedure Cards.
7.4.3.2.3 Environmental Clearance Certificates
Where necessary Defence may assess and issue ECCs for military activities to ensure there is a
robust process for environmental management to minimise the potential for adverse environmental
outcomes. ECCs specify the environmental mitigation and management requirements for each training
activity and must be approved before the training can commence.
7.4.3.3 TS13 Specific Environmental Controls
In addition, the following TS13 Exercise specific environmental controls will be implemented to
manage possible environmental impacts at the Port facilities:
TS13 Environmental Management Plan
TS13 Combined Exercise Instruction (CEI)
Equipment Standard Operating Procedures
Safety procedures
Quarantine inspections
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In achieving its mission to defend Australia and its national interests, Defence is duly committed and
accountable to ensure environmental stewardship is effectively promulgated throughout TS13. This is
demonstrated by the actions and culture of exercise participants at all levels.
From experience gained in previous exercises and similar activities to TS13, the US Armed Forces and
ADF understands and is well prepared to provide the necessary resources, controls and tools required
to ensure environmental impacts are avoided where possible, and mitigated to the greatest extent
practicable. This experience is also gained from the routine and regular use of Defence’s training
facilities, providing a pathway of continual improvement in environmental management for Defence
training activity and the management of environmental features and aspects of its training areas.
As described in this PER, Defence has undertaken an environmental review of planned activities for
TS13 and is working closely with relevant government stakeholder representatives to ensure possible
environmental impacts are identified and actions will be taken to mitigate potential risks and reduce the
likelihood and consequence of environmental impacts occurring.
Actions committed for TS13 are summarised as follows and include:
Pre-exercise environmental briefings to all participants that will be involved in the TS13 exercise.
This will be carried out through presentations to participants, display of video awareness
information and provisioning of training area environmental awareness cards, issued to each
participant in a training area.
Establishment of an exercise-specific Environmental Monitoring Group that will provide support
and advice to exercise participants, reinforce environmental controls and procedures, undertake
comprehensive pre and post exercise monitoring and review environmental performance as part of
post-exercise management.
Enforcement of Exercise Instructions outlining responsibilities for environmental management and
responsive actions to be taken to deal with incidents and emergencies that can arise.
Enforcement of existing environmental controls that are provided for each training area within
Standing Orders and Environmental Management Plans, and enforcement of Standard Operating
Procedures for specific activities, including environment specific procedures, such as the Maritime
Activities Environmental Management Plan and Procedure Cards.
Preparation and implementation of an exercise-specific TS13 Environmental Management Plan that
will provide clear guidance on responsibilities, environmental management processes and planned
controls, including exercise monitoring and incident management.
8 TS13 Environmental
Commitment Summary
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Defence is also committed to ensure community groups and the general public, are well informed of
the environmental aspects of staging of major exercises, such as TS13, and the environmental
management actions Defence is undertaking for the planning, staging and review of TS13, by:
Production and distribution of this PER, via website for electronic access, and distribution of copies
to key government agencies, elected representatives and to all participating libraries, and to
individuals upon request.
Information on frequently asked questions and Fact Sheets about major exercises and TS13.
Receipt of feedback from community groups and individuals on aspects in relation to
environmental management for TS13 using the communication channels established.
Defence accordingly invites community groups, government representatives and individuals to take the
time to understand the commitments Defence is making to ensure environmental sustainability is a
routine part of Defence training.
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ADF (2001) Standing Orders for Cowley Beach Training Area, Chapter 13 Environmental and Heritage
Management, Australian Defence Force, December 2001
Aecom (2011) Talisman Sabre 2011 – Public Environmental Report, April 2011
Aecom (2010) Heritage and Environmental Management Plan: Mount Bundey Training Area.
Unpublished Report Prepared by Department of Defence
Department of Defence (2008) State of the Environment Report for Shoalwater Bay Training Area
Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities
DSEWPaC (2009) Significant impact guidelines: 1.2 – Actions on, or impacting upon, Commonwealth
land and Actions by Commonwealth Agencies, Commonwealth Department of Sustainability,
Environment, Water, Population and Communities
GHD (2007) Shoalwater Bay Landscape Monitoring Program Report 2007 Implementation,
Unpublished Report Prepared for the Department of Defence, September 2007
Hewitt AD, Jenkins TF, Ranney TA, Stark JA, Walsh ME, Taylor S, Walsh MR, Lambert DJ, Perron
NM, Collins NH and Karn R (2003) Estimates for Explosive Residue for the Detonation of Army
Munitions US Army Corps Engineers, Engineer Research and Development Centre
HLA (2004a) Cowley Beach Training Area Land Management Strategy Prepared for Corporate
Services Infrastructure – NQ. Unpublished Report Prepared for Department of Defence, April 2004
HLA (2004b) Environmental Impact Assessment of Defence Training Activities at Cowley Beach
Training Area Unpublished Report Prepared for the Department of Defence
HLA (2006) Draft Heritage and environmental Managmenet Plan: Bradshaw Field Training Area
Unpublished Report Prepared for the Department of Defence
Jaensch R (2008) A condition assessment of wetlands and waterbirds in the Shoalwater Bay Training
Area Wetlands International, February 2008
URS (2002) Bradshaw Field Training Area Gouldian Finch Management Plan Unpublished Report
Prepared for the Department of Defence
9 References
Appendices
Appendix A Joint Statement of Environmental and Heritage Principles
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Appendix B Defence Environmental Risk Tool (ERT)
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Risk Assessment Matrix
Likelihood Rating
Consequence Rating
Severe Major Moderate Minor Negligible
Almost Certain Very High Very High High Medium Low
Likely Very High High Medium Medium Low
Possible High High Medium Medium Low
Unlikely High Medium Medium Low Low
Rare High Medium Low Low Low
Description of Risk Dimensions
Risk Dimension Description
Environment and Heritage Impact on the environment, including contamination, damage to flora and
fauna, fire, noise, soil damage and erosion, greenhouse gas emission, bio-
diversity, feral animals and water quality.
Environmental management in the strategic context of Defence business.
Impact on Heritage listed assets.
Likelihood of the consequences occurring in the exercise period
Likelihood Description
Almost certain (1) Has occurred several times in the past year and in each of the previous 5 years OR has a > 90% chance of occurring before the risk assessment is reviewed (12 months) if the risk is not mitigated.
Likely (3) Has occurred at least once in the past year and in each of the previous 5 years OR has a 60-90% chance of occurring before the risk assessment is reviewed (12 months) if the risk is not mitigated.
Possible (5) Even probability of consequences occurring before the risk assessment is reviewed (12 months). Has occurred two or three times during the past 5 years OR has a 40-60% chance of occurring before the risk assessment is reviewed (12 months) if the risk is not mitigated.
Unlikely (7) Has occurred once in the last 5 years OR has a 10-30% chance of occurring in the future if the risk is not mitigated.
Rare (9) Has not occurred in the past 5 years OR may occur in exceptional circumstances, i.e. less than 10% chance of occurring in the next funding period if the risk is not mitigated.
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Consequences: if the impact occurs
Severe (1) Major (6) Moderate (11) Minor (16) Negligible (21)
Environment and Heritage
Irreversible and extensive:
impact on a listed species; or
damage to the values of a listed or indigenous heritage site.
Irreversible and extensive damage to heritage, the environment or native fauna. OR
Extensive and reversible or irreversible and localized:
impact on a listed species; or
damage to the values of a listed or indigenous heritage site. OR
Extensive unnecessary production of waste or consumption of resources.
Extensive and reversible or irreversible and localized damage to heritage, the environment or native fauna. OR
Localised and reversible:
impact on a listed species; or
damage to the values of a listed or indigenous heritage site. OR
Production of waste or consumption of resources substantially higher than necessary.
Localized and reversible damage to heritage, the environment or native fauna. OR
Production of waste or consumption of resources that is slightly higher than necessary.
Environmental or heritage impact, production of waste or consumption of resources that would not be of concern to a reasonable person.
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Appendix C List of Threatened Communities, Species and Migratory Species for Shoalwater Bay Training Area
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List of Matters of National Environmental Significance likely to occur in the SWBTA
Scientific name Common name EPBC Status Likelihood of Occurrence
Threatened Ecological Communities
Littoral Rainforest and Coastal Vine Thickets of Eastern Australia CE Known (O’Neill P. 2008. Forests,
Woodlands and Freshwater Wetlands.
In: SWBTA State of the Environment
Report. Chapter 6. Department of
Defence. Canberra, as cited in TS11)
Semi-evergreen vine thickets of the Brigalow Belt (North and South) and Nandewar Bioregions
E Community likely to occur within area
Birds
Epthianura crocea macgregori Yellow Chat (Dawson) CE May; Suitable marine plain wetlands are present in SWBTA and Yellow Chat population present at Torilla Plains just west of SWBTA, however, never recorded in fauna surveys of SWBTA (as cited in TS11)
Erythrotriorchis radiatus Red Goshawk V Species or species habitat known to occur within area
Geophaps scripta scripta Squatter Pigeon (southern) V Known; Recorded at site. Plain eucalypt woodland / open forest, hill eucalypt woodland / open forest, riparian forest / woodland, swamp forest / woodland, cleared land (HLA 2006, as cited in TS11)
Macronectes giganteus Southern Giant-Petrel E, M May; Occasionally forages in waters off central Queensland coast during winter (as cited in TS11)
Neochmia ruficauda ruficauda Star Finch (eastern), Star Finch (southern)
E Improbable; Suitable grassy woodland habitat present close to water, but no records from recent fauna surveys in SWBTA or central Queensland (as cited in TS11)
Poephila cincta cincta Black-Throated Finch E Improbable; Suitable habitat is present, but not recorded in fauna surveys of SWBTA and no records from Rockhampton area since 1970s (as cited in TS11)
Pterodroma neglecta neglecta Kermadec Petrel (western) V May; Occasionally forages in waters off central Queensland coast during winter (as cited in TS11)
Rostratula australis Australian Painted Snipe V May; Suitable shallow terrestrial freshwater wetlands are present (as cited in TS11)
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List of Matters of National Environmental Significance likely to occur in the SWBTA
Scientific name Common name EPBC Status Likelihood of Occurrence
Birds
Turnix melanogaster Black-breasted Button-quail V May; Suitable drier low closed forests are present, not recorded in fauna surveys in SWBTA but species is highly cryptic and difficult to detect (AECOM, 2010a, as cited in TS11)
Botaurus poiciloptilus Australasian Bittern E Species or species habitat may occur within area
Heteroscelus brevipes Grey-tailed Tattler M Roosting known to occur within area
Limosa lapponica Bar-tailed Godwit M Roosting known to occur within area
Numenius madagascariensis Eastern Curlew M Known; in beaches and sea, Estuarine mudflats (as cited in TS11)
Numenius minutus Little Curlew, Little Whimbrel M Roosting likely to occur within area
Numenius phaeopus Whimbrel M Roosting known to occur within area
Pluvialis fulva Pacific Golden Plover M Roosting known to occur within area
Pluvialis squatarola Grey Plover M Roosting known to occur within area
Rostratula benghalensis (sensu lato).
Painted Snipe V, M Species or species habitat may occur within area
Tringa stagnatilis Marsh Sandpiper, Little
Greenshank
M Foraging, feeding or related behaviour known to occur within area
Xenus cinereus Terek Sandpiper M Roosting known to occur within area
Mammals
Balaenoptera musculus Blue Whale E, M Improbable; Waters off Queensland are unlikely to provide significant feeding habitat for this species (as cited in TS11)
Chalinolobus dwyeri Large-eared Pied Bat, Large
Pied Bat
V Known; Recorded at site. Mangroves, coastal vine forest, riparian forest / woodland, freshwater wetlands are present at site (HLA 2006, as cited in TS11)
Dasyurus hallucatus Northern Quoll E May; suitable rocky country in open eucalypt forest is present but species not recorded in fauna surveys at SWBTA (AECOM, 2010a, as cited in TS11)
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List of Matters of National Environmental Significance likely to occur in the SWBTA
Scientific name Common name EPBC Status Likelihood of Occurrence
Mammals
Megaptera novaeangliae Humpback Whale V, M Breeding known to occur within area
Pteropus poliocephalus Grey-headed Flying-fox V Improbable; Current northern limit is Maryborough (Churchill, 2008, as cited in TS11)
Xeromys myoides Water Mouse, False Water
Rat
V May; Mangroves and sedgelands are present on site (HLA 2006, as cited in TS11)
Balaenoptera edeni Bryde's Whale M Species or species habitat may occur within area
Dugong dugon Dugong M Species or species habitat likely to occur within area
Orcinus orca Killer Whale, Orca M Species or species habitat may occur within area
Sousa chinensis Indo-Pacific Humpback
Dolphin
M Species or species habitat may occur within area
Nyctophilus corbeni South-eastern Long-eared Bat V Species or species habitat may occur within area
Phascolarctos cinereus (combined populations of Qld, NSW and the ACT)
Koala (combined populations of Queensland, New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory)
V Species or species habitat known to occur within area
Orcaella brevirostris Irrawaddy Dolphin M Species or species habitat may occur within area
Reptiles
Caretta caretta Loggerhead Turtle E, M Foraging, feeding or related behaviour known to occur within area
Chelonia mydas Green Turtle V, M Known (Breeding); Species has been recorded at site (L. Sommers and GBRMPA, pers. comm., as cited in TS11)
Denisonia maculata Ornamental Snake V Species or species habitat likely to occur within area
E, M Species or species habitat likely to occur within area
Natator depressus Flatback Turtle V, M Species or species habitat likely to occur within area
Sharks
Rhincodon typus Whale Shark V, M Species or species habitat may occur within area
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Appendix E List of Threatened Communities, Species and Migratory Species for Townsville Field Training Area
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List of Matters of National Environmental Significance likely to occur in the TFTA
Scientific name Common name EPBC Status Likelihood of Occurrence
Birds
Casuarius casuarius johnsonii Southern Cassowary
(Australian), Southern
Cassowary
E Improbable; Suitable rainforest habitat not present in TFTA (as cited in TS11)
Erythrotriorchis radiatus Red Goshawk V Known; Confirmed occurrence on site (EES 2004). Species is known to occur along or near watercourses, in swamp forests and woodlands (NPWS 2002, as cited in TS11)
Geophaps scripta scripta Squatter Pigeon (southern) V Known; Recorded in grassy woodland on site (EES 2004, as cited in TS11)
Neochmia ruficauda ruficauda Star Finch (eastern), Star Finch (southern)
E Improbable; Grasslands and grassy woodlands close to freshwater bodies are not present on site (EES 2004, as cited in TS11)
Poephila cincta cincta Black-throated Finch (southern) E Likely; Suitable grassy, open woodlands and forests are present in site (as cited in TS11)
Rostratula australis Australian Painted Snipe V May; Suitable shallow terrestrial freshwater wetlands are present (as cited in TS11)
Apus pacificus Fork-tailed Swift M Species or species habitat may occur within area
Ardea alba Great Egret, White Egret M Species or species habitat may occur within area
Ardea ibis Cattle Egret M Species or species habitat may occur within area
Haliaeetus leucogaster White-bellied Sea-Eagle M Species or species habitat likely to occur within area
Hirundapus caudacutus White-throated Needletail M Species or species habitat known to occur within area
Hirundo rustica Barn Swallow M Species or species habitat may occur within area
Merops ornatus Rainbow Bee-eater M Species or species habitat may occur within area
Monarcha melanopsis Black-faced Monarch M Species or species habitat known to occur within area
Monarcha trivirgatus Spectacled Monarch M Breeding likely to occur within area
Myiagra cyanoleuca Satin Flycatcher M Species or species habitat likely to occur within area
Rhipidura rufifrons Rufous Fantail M Breeding may occur within area
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List of Matters of National Environmental Significance likely to occur in the TFTA
Scientific name Common name EPBC Status Likelihood of Occurrence
Birds
Gallinago hardwickii Latham's Snipe, Japanese Snipe M Species or species habitat may occur within area
Grus antigone Sarus Crane M Species or species habitat likely to occur within area
Rostratula benghalensis (sensu lato)
Painted Snipe M Species or species habitat may occur within area
Mammals
Bettongia tropica Northern Bettong E May; Grassy woodland is present on
site in association with RE 9.3.3
(SMEC 2004, as cited in TS11)
Dasyurus hallucatus Northern Quoll E Likely; Suitable rocky country in open
eucalypt forest is present (Peter Buosi,
pers. comm., as cited in TS11)
Dasyurus maculatus gracilis Spotted-tailed Quoll or Yarri
(North Queensland subspecies)
E Improbable; Suitable upland rainforest
habitat not present in TFTA (as cited in
TS11)
Hipposideros semoni Semon's Leaf-nosed Bat,
Greater Wart-nosed Horseshoe-
bat
E Improbable; Species prefers caves or
abandoned mines (roosting habitats)
and rainforests / vine thickets (foraging
habitats) (SMEC 2004, as cited in
TS11). This is not present on site
(SMEC 2004, as cited in TS11)
Pteropus conspicillatus Spectacled Flying-fox V Improbable; Suitable rainforest habitat
not present at site (HLA 2007, as cited
in TS11). Species is not found more
than 7 km from rainforest (Hall 1983,
as cited in TS11)
Pteropus poliocephalus Grey-headed Flying-fox V Improbable; Current northern limit is
Maryborough (Churchill, 2008, as cited
in TS11)
Saccolaimus saccolaimus nudicluniatus
Bare-rumped Sheathtail Bat CE May; Suitable poplar gum woodland is present in site (as cited in TS11)
Xeromys myoides Water Mouse, False Water Rat V Species or species habitat may occur
within area
Phascolarctos cinereus (combined populations of Qld, NSW and the ACT)
Koala (combined populations of Queensland, New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory)
V Species or species habitat known to occur within area
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List of Matters of National Environmental Significance likely to occur in the TFTA
Scientific name Common name EPBC Status Likelihood of Occurrence
Frogs
Litoria nannotis Waterfall Frog, Torrent Tree Frog
E Improbable; Species requires water for feeding (commonly located adjacent to river/creek systems) and suitable habitat is not present on site (SMEC 2004, as cited in TS11)
Nyctimystes dayi Lace-eyed Tree Frog, Australian Lacelid
E May; suitable rocky streams in closed forest present in site (as cited in TS11)
Litoria rheocola Common Mistfrog E Species or species habitat likely to occur within area