Defence has completed the safe destruction of munitions at World War II US Army Depot site near Columboola, South West Queensland.
The munitions destruction works were performed in accordance with the requirements of the
Australian Safeguards and Non-proliferation Office (ASNO) obligations of the 1997 Chemical
Weapons Convention, and included site inspections and concurrence from the United Nations’
Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW).
The works were conducted in a manner which ensured that worker health, safety and the environmentwere adequately protected during the site operations. Community communications were conducted through regular website and hard copy newsletters, and public information meetings held near the site.
Independent verification was undertaken throughout and on completion of the works. This ensured that the works were completed in an appropriate manner and consistent with current best practice, and has confirmed that the site is suitable for the future intended land use.
On completion of the works, Defence vacated the site in August 2012.
