Ecologically Sustainable Development and Environmental Performance

Sustainable management of ecosystems

Land management (including use of Defence training areas and Defence training on non-Defence land)

In pursuing best practice environmental management, Defence completed draft guidelines for the development of soil conservation plans in 2002-03. Those aspects which should be included in bushfire management planning for its properties will be reviewed in 2003-04.

Progress has also been made on developing guidelines for other key areas, including the management of weeds, feral animals and overabundant native species, and identifying indicators for monitoring the environmentally sustainable use of Defence properties.

Interaction with marine and aquatic environment

Defence has maintained momentum as a leader in sustainable use of the environment through continuing development of environmental management plans for the Navy's ships and maritime exercise areas. These plans aim to provide definitive advice to exercise planners and ship commanders about how to conduct activities at sea in an environmentally sustainable manner, in accordance with Defence's legislative environmental obligations.

Consistent with the Australian Government's wetlands policy, Defence has contributed to the government's wetlands inventory, providing information on wetland biodiversity associated with properties owned or managed by Defence. Two Defence sites, Port Wakefield SA, and Bunderra Sinkhole WA, are currently being considered for listing as wetlands of international significance under the Convention on Wetlands ('Ramsar' Convention).

Defence is also incorporating principles of ecologically sustainable development into capability acquisition. For example, the Armidale-class patrol boats that will replace the Fremantle-class include:

• consideration of efficiency in construction and operation of the boats (for energy and water savings);
• waste minimisation and avoidance of disposal to the marine environment both at sea and when docked; and
• avoiding hazardous and intractable materials, for example in hull anti-fouling coatings.

Flora and fauna interaction

Threatened species management

Across Australia, Defence owns large tracts of high-quality remnant vegetation which, when considered together with Defence's significant use of Australia's oceans and airspace, provide both opportunities and challenges for the maintenance of threatened species and ecological communities. In 2002-03, in partnership with a number of Australian Government and state agencies and academic institutions, Defence played a significant role in conservation efforts for a number of threatened species listed under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 including:

• funding independent scientific research into the behaviour, biology and distribution of the Blue Whale (Baleanoptera musculus) off the Western Australian coast; and
• undertaking a comprehensive fox control program on the Murray Bridge Army Range in South Australia aimed primarily at protecting newly hatched Mallee Fowl (Leipoa ocellatta) chicks.

Overabundant species management

In common with other land management agencies, Defence has a responsibility to minimise the environmental impacts resulting from overabundant native animal populations. In 2002-03, in consultation with relevant Victorian authorities, Defence took action to reduce the number of kangaroos on the Puckapunyal training area. Detailed scientific surveys were undertaken to determine the number of animals that needed to be removed in order to minimise environmental impacts from overgrazing, and maintain the area in a fit state for continued training purposes.

Defence has also been participating in cooperative programs investigating reproductive physiology as a possible means of maintaining an environmentally sustainable kangaroo population on Defence properties into the future.

Natural resource consumption

Energy use

Defence has continued to improve its energy performance despite ongoing resource constraints and operational demands on the organisation. Energy consumption in Defence establishments and office buildings is estimated to have fallen for the third year in a row in 2002-03.

The three-year Defence savings target set by the Defence Energy Efficiency Plan was 545,000 gigajoules (GJ). Defence completed energy conservation measures resulting in energy savings (as at 30 June 2003) of 559,000 GJ, exceeding the target by 2.6 per cent. This represents an estimated saving of 330,835 GJ over the 2001-02 figure.

Defence energy performance against set energy reduction targets will be reported to the Government in the annual whole-of-government energy report.

Chart 3.1 shows the annual energy consumption of Defence establishments from 1996-97 to 2001-02. Data for 2002-03 comprises nine months actual, extrapolated to 12 months. The forecast usage by Defence was 2,713,379 GJ, which was slightly above Defence's Government-set energy usage target of 2,500,000 GJ (to be achieved by June 2003), but it is expected that this figure will continue to trend downwards.

Chart 3.1: Annual energy consumption of Defence Establishments

Defence developed an updated energy management strategy in 2002-03, which will be implemented in 2003-04. Development focused on:

• increased energy education and awareness training for Defence personnel and contractors;
• development and implementation of regional and site energy management plans;
• nomination of site 'energy champions' to promote good energy work practices;
• establishment of energy working groups/committees;
• identification and installation of additional metering in selected buildings;
• incorporation of energy provisions in Defence contracts, and consideration of energy efficiency in the design and planning phases of Defence projects; and
• identification of new energy targets to drive energy efficiency and reduce energy usage in Defence regions.

The strategy has been designed to promote sustainability and provide Defence personnel with a framework for making further energy savings through management initiatives at the regional and site level across Defence.

Water use

In 2002-03, Defence budgeted approximately $13.3m for water and waste water services. Defence recognises the environmental and economic benefits of achieving more efficient use of water. To this end, Defence has developed a sustainable water management strategy and had it reviewed by an independent expert. The strategy will be implemented in 2003-04.

The strategy aims to minimise the use of potable water by recycling waste water, reducing overall water consumption and lessening the environmental impact of Defence activities on water supplies and bodies.

A range of initiatives to conserve water has already been implemented. In Western Australia, $100,000 was invested on water conservation measures at HMAS Stirling, RAAF Pearce and key Army sites in the Perth metropolitan area. Conservation measures included the identification of appropriate system applications where the use of flow-control devices will achieve meaningful energy and water conservation benefits.

Waste generation

Waste reduction, management and recycling pose complex challenges. To improve Defence's performance, a waste minimisation and recycling strategy was developed during 2002-03. A discussion paper and draft framework for the strategy were independently reviewed by an external expert in June 2003. The strategy will be finalised and implemented during 2003-04.

The draft waste minimisation and recycling strategy will require Defence to change its operational and disposal activities to use primary resources more efficiently, to generate less waste, and to reuse and recycle more of those materials currently disposed of as wastes.

The strategy will cover all Defence activities and services that produce wastes, including hazardous materials. It will focus on minimising waste generation as well as better managing wastes.

Pollution prevention

Soil and water contamination

During 2002-03, Defence began a number of initiatives in the area of contaminated land management, including the development of:

• the Defence contaminated land management strategy, to provide guidance on the identification of contamination risk and minimisation measures and the management of existing contaminated Defence land, surface water and groundwater;
• the Defence contaminated land management manual, to provide guidance to site managers on appropriate and cost-effective management approaches for contaminated sites; and
• a contaminated sites register to provide data and information to support the contaminated land management strategy, and assist decision makers at the regional and corporate level. The prototype will be trialled over the next 12 months.

National pollutant inventory

In 2002-03, 22 Defence sites began assessment for potential national pollutant inventory reporting. At 30 June 2003, there were nine inventory reports publicly available at www.npi.gov.au.

Waste treatment and disposal

The Defence Environmental Strategic Plan 2002-05 identified the development and implementation of waste treatment and disposal strategies at site level as an important issue. During 2002-03, a position paper was produced outlining initial investigations into performance, potential risks, regional approaches to waste treatment and disposal, the ability to meet waste treatment and disposal regulations, and legislative requirements.

Air emissions

In May 2003, Defence began developing an air quality strategy in an effort to identify and better understand the issues associated with air pollutants. The strategy will include a list of management actions and reference material for environmental planning purposes.

Noise, vibration and electromagnetic radiation generation

In 2002-03, Defence began to develop a strategy to determine how Defence should best manage effects of noise, vibration and electromagnetic radiation on the natural environment. The strategy summarises current national, international and Defence guidance and will recommend future actions towards effective management of noise, vibration and electromagnetic radiation in Defence. The primary implementation focus will be through the ongoing rollout of site environmental management systems.

Climate change and ozone depletion

Use of ozone depleting substances

In 2002-03, Defence began implementing policy on ozone depleting substances to reflect new greenhouse legislation anticipated in 2003-04.

The Defence Halon Bank remains at the Defence National Storage and Distribution Centre. The Navy, Army and Air Force continued to receive essential uses permits for halon during 2002-03. Groups and Services, especially those with a logistics focus, are increasingly aware of the requirement to obtain Environment Australia approval for the importation and exportation of controlled substances.

Greenhouse gas emissions

In January 2003, the Defence greenhouse strategy was endorsed. The strategy provides a framework for the pursuit of a range of initiatives to promote sustainability and achieve reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.

Linked to Defence's emissions reductions are energy savings, which have largely been achieved through the Defence energy efficiency program. Further reductions in greenhouse gas emissions will be realised with the implementation of key strategies identified in the Defence greenhouse strategy and through a range of sustainable energy management initiatives being pursued under the Defence Energy Management Program.

The estimated emissions for 2002-03 were 768,385 CO2 tonnes, a decrease of 50,745 on 2001-02 emissions and under the target of 788,000 CO2 tonnes.

Chart 3.2 displays Defence greenhouse gas emissions and targets for 1999-00 to 2003-04. The 2002-03 column data is based on nine months actual consumption data, extrapolated to 12 months.

Chart 3.2: Greenhouse gas emissions

Defence will continue to see further greenhouse reductions achieved in future with initiatives in the regional establishments to purchase low greenhouse gas emission appliances. Defence will also consider energy solutions based on renewable energy sources.

Examples include the replacement of electric boiler units with high-efficiency staged boiler units operating on natural gas and the installation of gas clothes dryers during the refurbishment of living-in accommodation blocks at Gallipoli Barracks in Brisbane. Solar energy was also integrated into existing services during a pool heating upgrade incorporating solar arrays at Randwick Barracks in Sydney, and the Australian Defence Force Academy upgraded to solar hot water systems in living-in accommodation.

Stewardship

Procurement and acquisition

Ecologically sustainable development policy

Defence has been actively considering how it can develop and implement an overarching ecologically sustainable development policy that will adequately cover the range of diverse activities it conducts as well as ensuring current decisions and policies do not unduly impair economic, social and environmental outcomes in the future. For example, as pilot projects, Defence has been considering how it can achieve ecologically sustainable outcomes during the acquisition of major defence materiel such as the Armidale-class patrol boats project and the potential to procure 'green' ammunition.

Green procurement

The environmental chapter of the Defence Procurement Policy Manual was revised in 2002-03 to include further guidance to Defence purchasing officers on environmental considerations in the procurement of goods and services.

In early 2003, Defence also circulated a draft Commonwealth Environmental Purchasing Guide and checklists from Environment Australia to all Defence Groups and Services and promoted the guide to raise further awareness of the importance of purchasing 'green' throughout Defence.

Defence Environmental Panel

Since its establishment in 2000, the Defence Environmental Panel has provided support to Defence at both the corporate and regional levels. Tasks undertaken at a corporate level included impact assessments, management plans, contaminated site assessments, due diligence reporting and environmental management system implementation. Regionally, the panel has been engaged in areas such as environmental planning, environmental monitoring and the preparation of documentation for impact assessment processes under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. During the period August 2002 to April 2003, the panel completed work to the value of $10.0m. Details of the projects carried out by the current environmental panel since its commencement in September 2000 are outlined in Table 3.11.

Table 3.11: Defence Environmental Panel Projects September 2000 - April 2003⁽¹⁾

Category	Number	Value $m
Statutory review	55	1.747
Environmental consultancy	151	5.207
Environmental management system	26	0.931
Assessment	155	4.644
Environmental planning	99	4.109
Monitoring	79	3.464
Audit	34	0.589
Asbestos	50	0.807
Heritage	48	1.107
Environmental works	81	2.479
Works management	22	1.213
Other	22	0.494
Total	822	26.791

Note

1. Statistics are calculated every three months.

A new Environment and Heritage Panel will replace the Defence Environmental Panel in early 2004. The new panel will have an expanded focus to include overt recognition of heritage to reflect the increasing significance of heritage management issues in Defence.

Infrastructure development and support

Ecologically sustainable development in infrastructure

Defence is developing guidelines to provide more specific and technical guidance for infrastructure planners and other key stakeholders within Defence Groups and outlining performance measurements, targets and management practices. These guidelines will be implemented in 2003-04.

Two web-based training modules have been developed to provide basic awareness of ecologically sustainable development to Defence members. The first module explores the fundamentals of ecologically sustainable development and the second module discusses ecologically sustainable development in the built environment. It is anticipated that these modules will begin in 2003-04.

Green Building Council

Defence became a founding board member of the Green Building Council of Australia in October 2002. Council membership has facilitated greater understanding of the linkages between Defence facilities development and sustainable development principles.

The council provides a useful means for Defence to remain up to date on industry trends regarding 'green' buildings, as well as providing a vehicle for advancing the acceptance of ecologically sustainable development in the construction industry. Coupled with Defence's large investment portfolio, this is helping to persuade industry to consider 'greener 'options, thereby improving the environmental quality of products and services available to Defence.

Ecologically sustainable development in business processes

Defence efforts to achieve ecologically sustainable development are assisted by the incorporation of ecologically sustainable development principles into key business processes, including in the revised Defence suite of contracts and the infrastructure asset development approval process. Ecologically sustainable development is identified in the earliest stages of planning, design and disposal in order to realise real costs and identify innovation for long-term environmental, economic and social benefits. Specific examples in 2002-03 include:

• developers at RAAF Townsville and Oakey conducting a 'Subcontractor of the Month' award that encourages subcontractors to incorporate ecologically sustainable development into their business practices;
• the first stage of the redevelopment at RAAF Williamtown, which is expected to achieve a 4.5 star Sustainable Energy Development Authority rating; and
• the design of the Army Headquarters Training Command at Victoria Barracks in Sydney, which demonstrates good ecologically sustainable development principles by incorporating such features as natural ventilation, natural lighting, energy efficiency and heritage considerations. The building recently received an architecture award and an ecologically sustainable development award for the use of a 'mixed mode' of ventilation and air-conditioning.

Stakeholder management

Administration of legislation

Legislation administered by Defence generally relates to internal management and administration of the Defence organisation. The Explosives Act 1961 was one exception identified. Defence demonstrates consideration of ecologically sustainable development in the administration of this Act through the continued application of the Handling of Explosive Ordnance Manual, which covers the transport, disposal, use and storage of explosives. The manual incorporates environmental considerations in the handling of explosives.

Defence is undertaking many initiatives which will facilitate the consideration of ecologically sustainable development in all Defence activities, including the administration of legislation. In particular, an updated Defence Instruction (General) on Environmental and Heritage Management in Defence is being developed under section 9A of the Defence Act 1903. This proposed instruction will provide guidance to Defence personnel on meeting their environmental obligations and will reflect the principles of ecologically sustainable development.

Training and awareness

In 2001-02, the Defence environmental education strategy was developed to ensure Defence personnel were aware of their obligations under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. One aspect of this strategy was an environmental awareness training program, which began in 2001-02 and continued throughout 2002-03.

In 2002-03, environmental awareness training was delivered to a wide range of staff throughout Defence. A sample of 28 key Defence sites revealed that up to 80 per cent of Defence personnel has been exposed to environmental awareness training in the last twelve months. Presentations were delivered to specific central office divisions in Defence, including approximately 120 staff in Infrastructure Division of the Corporate Services and Infrastructure Group, with other divisions targeted for 2003-04. Training was also carried out in the regions which focused on commanding officers, managers and contractors, and the training program will continue in accordance with the environmental management system roll-out.

Training modules have been updated to reflect the changes and improvements to Defence structures, instructions and business practices. The on-line environmental awareness training module continues to operate on the Defence intranet. The environment and heritage internet website also provides Defence staff and the general public with up-to-date information on Defence environmental policies and programs.

Public environment report

Defence released its first public environment report in September 2003. The aim of the report is to communicate to the public, and Defence personnel, the organisation's environmental performance in terms of its major achievements in environmental management.

The report captures key environmental issues and challenges, as well as initiatives and achievements.

Business practices

Strategic-level engagement

The Defence Infrastructure Sub-Committee comprises senior executive representatives from across Defence. The sub-committee's focus is on the development of Defence's enabling infrastructure and related services. The new infrastructure asset development approval process will ensure that all infrastructure investment proposals presented to the sub-committee have comprehensively considered whole-of-life issues, including environment, heritage and ecologically sustainable development.

The Defence Environmental Management Forum was established in November 2002, comprising managers from Defence Groups and Services who meet at least once a year to provide senior level review, coordination and direction of Defence's performance in implementing environmental management across Defence.

Risk management

During 2002-03, a Directorate of Risk Management was established to support the introduction of a more structured and coordinated approach to environmental and infrastructure risk management in Defence.

The Directorate provides advice, system and process support to Defence on the application of risk analysis and risk management for asset development proposals and projects, property disposals, environmental and heritage planning and stewardship. Developments included:

• an environmental risk management framework to better integrate, manage and monitor Defence's environmental risks; and
• an environmental risk tool to facilitate identification, analysis, evaluation and treatment of environmental risks on a site-by-site basis or through thematic environmental reviews.

Work is continuing to further align and integrate the environmental risk management framework with the Defence environmental management system and performance reporting framework.

Environmental risk management has been integrated into the infrastructure asset development and approval process introduced in 2002-03. The process ensures that environmental risks are considered at every phase of asset procurement, from conception to disposal.

Incident reporting

During 2002-03, a review of environmental incident reporting in Defence was conducted, identifying the need to improve reporting, reduce double handling of information, and provide feedback and continuous improvement capabilities. A new environmental incident reporting system was also developed, incorporating linked databases at the site, region and national levels. The system will be piloted at three sites in September 2003 and then rolled out to other Defence sites during 2003-04.

The table below summarises the incidents reported during 2002-03.

Table 3.12: Number Of Environmental Incidents Reported in 2002-03

Category	No. of Incidents
Emissions	3
Interaction with Flora and Fauna	8
Accidental Release/Leaks and Spills	11
Disturbance	3
Interaction with Heritage	1
Total	26

Defence Environmental Management System

Defence developed the Defence environmental management system to manage its environmental risks and to sustain the future capability of the ADF through continued access to quality training areas and facilities across Australia.

The system is modelled on the international standard ISO 14001, the most widely accepted international standard for environmental management systems. The system covers the entire Defence organisation by incorporating environmental management into the business of Defence and is integrated into all levels. This ensures consistent application of environmental management across the organisation and allows for environmental values and sound environmental practices to be integrated into Defence business processes and day-to-day management.

Government policy required all departments and agencies to have a corporate environmental management system in place by December 2002. In addition, a large site had to be certified to the ISO 14001 standard by December 2003. Defence has achieved the first requirement. An independent audit concluded that the Defence system documentation met the requirements of the standard. Defence is on track to achieve the second objective, with RAAF Townsville and Puckapunyal Military Area progressing towards site certification by December 2003.

During the year, Defence invested approximately $840,000 on development and implementation of the system, including diagnostic tools.

In 2002-03, the following progress was made in implementing the system across Defence:

• A number of Defence Groups and Services were targeted for integration of the Defence system into their business at headquarters level.
• 18 sites began implementing the Defence system, with a further 12 sites scheduled to begin this process in 2003-04.

Eighteen environmental management plans and 12 partial environmental management plans were developed prior to implementation of the system.

With system implementation, environmental management plans are gradually being phased out. The Defence system builds on the environmental management work previously undertaken through these plans.

Environmental Performance Reporting Framework

The environmental performance reporting framework has been developed as a response to requirements within the Defence environmental management system, and Defence environmental policy objective five: 'Measuring and reporting environmental performance as a part of a process of continuous improvement.'¹.

The intention of the framework is to monitor, measure, report and improve Defence's management of the environment. Long-term benefits of the framework include:

• sustainability for capability, specifically longevity of use of training areas through sound environmental management;
• increased savings through greater efficiency and proactive environmental management;
• active environmental management review leading to further improvement;
• greater transparency in environmental performance, including meeting legislative and policy obligations; and
• strengthened stakeholder relationships, both internal and external.

Since the start of a pilot program in August 2002, 28 key Defence sites have been participating in an 18-month trial. Performance against over 70 environmental indicators is collected from the pilot sites each quarter. The results are aggregated into ten key issue objectives and presented as an environmental 'balanced scorecard' for each site. A straightforward red-amber-green traffic light scoring system is used to represent environmental performance against the ten key issue objectives.

At present, the environmental performance results are being utilised at the site level to influence changes in environmental management on a site-by-site basis. Results are also being used to drive environmental policy changes more centrally.

In time, more strategic environmental performance indicators will be developed for use within Defence Groups and for whole-of-Defence performance monitoring. The roll-out of the framework will be a unique achievement for Defence.

Heritage Management

The Defence Heritage Management Section was established in 2000-01 to oversee administration of more than 200 Defence sites listed on the Register of the National Estate and several properties influenced by World Heritage Listings.

In 2002-03, the section defined clear objectives to assist with the task of managing Defence heritage. Broadly, the objectives focused on the development of management support systems, ensuring adequate resources, guidance and training is available in support of heritage management, and strengthening relationships with heritage-related government departments and industry leaders.

Key achievements in 2002-03 against these objectives included:

• development of the Defence Heritage Asset Register to provide information on all Defence owned or controlled heritage assets listed on Commonwealth or state registers;
• financial and technical support for the development of heritage management plans at various sites including RAAF Richmond (NSW), HMAS Creswell (NSW) and Harold E Holt Naval Base (WA);
• assisting in ensuring heritage values were considered and cared for during the disposals of Pt Cook and Pt Nepean (Vic), and other property disposals;
• increasing awareness of Defence's heritage by developing a Defence heritage calendar and establishment of the Defence Heritage website, www.defence.gov.au/environment/heritage;
• developing tools, information and resources for managers of heritage;
• providing funding and technical support for the development of a concept study for the Kokoda Barracks (Sth Qld) visitor centre and museum to help tell the valuable story of our military heritage at that site;
• development of a concept paper identifying ways to promote and increase access to Defence heritage for the Australian public; and
• in consultation with the 'heritage industry', development of heritage documentation for Defence that is as meaningful and usable as possible.

Environmental Accountability

The environmental accountability framework establishes clear lines of responsibility to meet Defence environmental management objectives across its major bases and sites. The accountability framework reflects the need for Defence to meet its obligations under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.

Under the Act, Defence is obliged to consult with the Department of Environment and Heritage through a formal legislative process to ensure that any of its activities that will have, or are likely to have, a significant impact on the environment, only proceed with the approval of the Minister for Environment and Heritage. In the period July 2000 to June 2003, Defence formally referred 20 actions to the Minister for Environment and Heritage for approval. The break-up of his determinations is shown in Chart 3.3.

Chart 3.3: Defence referrals under the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act July 2000 - June 2003

During 2002-03, Defence referred eight actions, listed in the table below:

Table 3.13: Defence referrals in 2002-03

Referral Title	Ref No	Date	Decision / Determination	Status of Referred Action
Royal Australian Navy, Evans Head Site A and Tasman Sea off Broken Bay NSW. Navy mine countermeasures training.	2002/812	25 September 2002	Approval not required, providing activities involving detonation of explosives are not undertaken during peak whale migration periods and measures to minimise risks to whales, as outlined in the final environment management plan, are implemented.	Environmental management plan under development as part of the environmental management plan for Australian maritime exercise areas.
Kingsford NSW, Defence land subdivision and redevelopment.	2002/852	6 November 2002	Approval not required, providing measures are implemented to protect areas of eastern suburbs Banksia scrub ecological community.	Eastern suburbs Banksia scrub has been fenced for protection from infrastructure work such as roads and drainage. Other areas have been remediated for further construction and future sale.
RAAF Richmond, Mobile Engine Test Stand replacement.	2002/882	27 November 2002	Approval is not required	The project has not yet started as other options for engine maintenance are being investigated.
Shoalwater Bay training area, RAAF Scherger, Townsville field training area and the Coral Sea, Qld, Crocodile 03 military training exercise.	2002/888	29 November 2002	Approval was required. Environment Australia to assess environmental impacts of the exercise using preliminary information provided by Defence.	Exercise Crocodile 03 commenced in August 2003.
Establishment of eleven 'Sneaker' ranges in the Jarra Creek and impact sectors of the Tully training area, Qld.	2002/896	16 December 2002	Approval not required, providing undertaken in accordance with mitigation measures described in referral.	Defence is now assessing the project on safety issues including the position of the range.
Randwick, NSW. Undertaking fire protection measures for the bushland regeneration of the Randwick environmental park.	2003/959	17 February 2003	Approval not required.	All fire protection measures are now complete.
Sale or lease of Commonwealth property, Mornington Peninsula Vic, divestment of Norris Barracks.	2003/963	20 February 2003	Approval not required.	The Minister for Defence will consider a short list of interested purchasers.
Portsea, Vic Controlled burn, understorey clearance and removal of unexploded ordnance.	2003/1030	16 April 2003	Approval not required, providing Defence submits a final fire management plan and weed management plan to Environment Australia.	Fire and weed management plans are in preparation.

One project, consideration of the introduction of the Hawk Lead-in-Fighter at RAAF Williamtown and Salt Ash Air Weapons Range, completed its assessment under transitional provisions introduced under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. This project commenced assessments under the now repealed Environment Protection (Impact of Proposals) Act of 1975. The Minister for Environment and Heritage provided his recommendations to Defence during the second quarter of 2002-03. As at 30 June, the recommendations were with the Minister for Defence for consideration.

Defence continues to use environmental clearance certificates as mechanisms to impose environmental mitigation measures where activities are unlikely to have a significant impact on the environment, but some degree of environmental management is still required. The certificates are issued by Defence environmental managers for a wide range of environmental activities, including:

• general work (for example, building and range construction/demolition, fire management, wash-down facilities);
• Army, Navy and Air Force exercises (from driver training to underwater demolitions); and
• foreign force activities (Australian/international combined).

Environmental obligations are also written into standard operating procedures for routine activities and environmental management plans developed for training areas and bases.

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1. Defence's environmental policy objectives are listed on page 227 of the Defence Annual Report 2001-02. |