Annual Report 2003-04

Ecologically Sustainable Development and Environmental Performance

Section 516A of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 requires Commonwealth organisations to include in their annual reports details on the environmental performance of the organisation and its contribution to ecologically sustainable development.

During 2003-04, Defence dedicated significant resources to conserving and sustaining the environment and heritage places under its care, in accordance with the objectives and targets set out in the Defence Environmental Strategic Plan 2002-2005. Environmental expenditure of approximately $24.8m facilitated delivery of the Government's economic and environmental agenda under the National Strategy for Ecologically Sustainable Development.

This section highlights some of Defence's environmental successes and challenges during 2003-04, as it strives to manage in an ecologically sustainable way and continues to improve its environmental performance. Further information can be found at http://www.defence.gov.au/environment.

Sustainable Management of Ecosystems

Land Management

Defence commenced a review of its bushfire management policy to ensure that the bushfire management plans for its training areas accord with best practice. These plans aim to improve Defence's understanding of its training areas' response to changing fire regimes and inform future decisions on the long-term viability of land to support Defence training.

Work was also undertaken to gauge the degree of impact from feral animals, pests, weeds and overabundant native species on the sustainability of training areas. Strategies for the longer term sustainable management of these species are currently being developed.

Defence established the Directorate of Sustainability Strategies in early 2004 to more clearly articulate the concept of environmental sustainability in the Defence context. The directorate's aim is to consider the planning processes and documentation associated with major exercises and activities to ensure planners adopt sustainable outcomes and comply with Defence's environmental obligations.

To meet this goal, the directorate, in conjunction with key military stakeholders, is identifying the sustainability pressures on major Defence training areas and methods to ease these without adverse impact to the planning and conduct of major exercises and training requirements.

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Interaction with Marine and Aquatic Environment

Defence conducted a risk assessment of Defence activities conducted in the marine environment. In response, the Maritime Exercise Area Environmental Management Plan was developed and provides planning guides and revised procedures for managing and minimising environmental risks associated with marine activities.

The Proof and Experimental Establishment at Port Wakefield, South Australia, has been nominated for inclusion on the list of Wetlands of International Importance protected under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.

The Port Wakefield site contains intertidal wetlands and roosting sites associated with the Gulf of St Vincent that have been formally assessed as internationally significant and suitable for inclusion as a Ramsar protected site.

The property is now in the final stages of the nomination and Defence considers that the continued use of the area, as a proof and experimental establishment for weapons testing, will be consistent with conservation of the Port Wakefield wetland values.

Flora and Fauna Interaction

Threatened Species Management

Defence owns large tracts of land across Australia that are used for military training exercises. These properties often contain high-quality remnant vegetation that has not been significantly altered by past European land practices. This land often contains protected plant and animal species.

The challenge for Defence is to strike the balance between conserving these environmental values while enabling the ADF to achieve its training outcomes. The careful stewardship of these lands by Defence, in accordance with its various environmental management guidelines, will ensure that environmental values can be supported while maintaining military capability.

Defence participated in a project to conserve the Eastern Bristlebird by relocating approximately 30 birds into suitable habitat within Beecroft Weapons Range on Beecroft Peninsula, on the New South Wales coast. The aim, to establish a breeding colony of this nationally listed threatened species, is considered to have been successful at this early stage.

Overabundant Native Species Management

Occasionally, the numbers of native species increase dramatically in response to favourable environmental conditions, or as a result of them concentrating in response to drought, fire or other environmental stress. Historically, Defence has managed large numbers of native species on its properties.

Defence, in cooperation with an experienced wildlife ecologist, successfully introduced a non-lethal control program for the management of a 'mega-flock' of corellas that was having a serious impact on the operation and infrastructure of RAAF Edinburgh in South Australia.

In Victoria, Defence, with the agreement of the State Government, continued to implement measures to control the kangaroo population at the Puckapunyal Military Training Area. This work is necessary to maintain a healthy kangaroo population while managing the impact of large numbers of kangaroos on the environmental and training values of the area.

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