Environmental Management

Defence responsibly manages the Shoalwater Bay Training Area environment.

Over the last 40 years, Defence management of Shoalwater Bay Training Area has been instrumental in the retention and enhancement of the high conservation values in the area. Defence's use of the Shoalwater Bay Training Area is tightly managed under the direction of Environmental Management Plans for land and marine activities. The strategies in these plans ensure the varied environments are employed wisely, and cultural and heritage values are protected.

Defence is committed to responsible and sustainable management of the environment. An environmental officer is employed by Defence just to look after the Shoalwater Bay Training Area in accordance with our own environmental policy and Commonwealth law.

The environmentally sensitive areas of Shoalwater Bay Training Area, like the RAMSAR wetlands, are only used very occasionally, and then under strict environmental standing orders that limit the type of activities undertaken. (For more information on RAMSAR wetlands environmental management visit the RAMSAR website ).


It is because Shoalwater Bay is a restricted military area that the number of people in the area, and the activities they undertake, can be firmly controlled. This ensures the environment is tightly and sensibly managed.

Because the Joint Combined Training Capability will provide a much better real-time view of exercises, we will get a better picture of how exercise activities may have an effect on the environment. Defence already has a rigorous approach to predicting impact assessments and developing strategies to reduce or eliminate the risk. The Joint Combined Training Capability technology, integrated into the Environmental Management System that is being developed for the Shoalwater Bay Training Area, will further enhance our ability to enforce stringent environmental controls over Defence activities.

Defence considers the environmental aspects of its activities in accordance with the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. Any new activities or enhanced facilities required to support the Joint Combined Training Capability that are considered likely to have a significant impact on the environment will be managed in accordance with the Act.