Defence: Lancelin Defence Training Area

Senator Greig asked the Minister for Defence, upon notice, on 23 May 2002:

1. Can the Minister confirm that the department intends to increase the area of the Lancelin Defence Training Area (DTA) by acquiring an additional 36 600 hectares of land, comprising vacant crown land, freehold private property and some pastoral leases.
2. What is the status of the land-use agreement that the department has entered into relating to the 'permissive occupancy area', which extends from the north-east side of the Lancelin DTA adjacent to the naval gunnery to north of Nilgen Reserve, which has been described by the department as part of the existing training area.
3. Is the land-use agreement renewable, ongoing or is it due to expire; if so, when.
4. What is the reason for the haste of the department in pushing through the formal environmental assessment process.
5. Will the proposal be considered or assessed under the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 or a previous Act.
6. What period of notice was given to stakeholders in the area directly affected by the proposal.
7. How is the additional land justified, given the existing area is already 17 300 hectares.
8. Is the Minister aware that the land involved: (a) is fragile coastal land and is subject to erosion if not managed properly; and (b) contains valuable wetlands, rare flora and fauna, underground caves and a number of heritage sites that need protection.
9. (a) Have more stable training areas at Northam or Bindoon been considered; and (b) has the possibility of relocating training areas to a more remote area where they will not cause serious impact on the environment been considered.
10. Is it the case that the department will prepare environmental management plans and other management strategies only after it secures the land.
11. Is any of the land listed on the Register of the National Estate.

Senator Hill - The answer to the honourable senator's question is as follows:

1. Yes. On 20 May 2002, Defence released a Public Environment Report/Public Environmental Review on Lancelin Defence Training Area extension proposal. A final decision on the proposal to expand the Lancelin Defence Training Area will rest with ministers, including approval of an agreement with the State of Western Australia in relation to the proposal.
2. The land you refer to is north-east of the Naval Gunfire Support Range and is the part of the Lancelin Defence Training Area that has been traditionally used by the Army. Until 30 June 1997 it was a Defence Practice Area, however, since then it has been used with the agreement of the Western Australian Government, which has agreed a series of training activities in the area.
3. Until the Commonwealth obtains formal tenure over this area Defence will continue to seek the agreement of the Western Australian Government for the conduct of training activities.
4. The proposal has been initiated with the support of the Western Australian Government and has been in development for several years. A Notice of Intention was developed in 1999 and the environmental impact assessment process was commenced in 2000. On 15 March 2000, the Minister for the Environment directed a Public Environment Report/Public Environmental Review (PER) on the proposed expansion of the Lancelin Defence Training Area.
5. The proposal is being assessed against the requirements of the Environment Protection (Impact of Proposals) Act 1974 (C'th) and the Environment Protection Act 1986 (WA). The transitional arrangements finalised under the Environmental Reform (Consequential Provisions) Act 1999 allow for the assessment to be completed under the Environment Protection (Impact of Proposals) Act 1974.
6. The development of the Public Environment Report/Public Environmental Review (PER) includes a public consultation process. Consultation was undertaken with the Billinue Aboriginal community in January 2002 and later that month with the Yued Native Title Claimant Group. The Shires of Gingin and Dandaragan were consulted at separate meetings on 20 March 2002 to determine their views on the proposal. In early March 2002, a letter was sent to four private landowners who have a direct interest in the land. Defence's environmental consultant, Ecoscape sent a follow-up letter in late March 2002 inviting comments on the proposal and the landholders to a public meeting. Defence presented an outline of the proposal at a public meeting held at Dandaragan on 16 April 2002. Upon receiving a request from community representatives, a second public meeting was convened at Lancelin on 20 May 2002. There is an 8 week public comment and exhibition period, which runs until 15 July 2002.
7. For many years, the relative small size of the existing Lancelin Defence Training Area has restricted the scope and scale of training able to be undertaken by Australian Defence Force elements based in and around Perth, the primary user being 13th Brigade. Defence only has formal tenure over the Naval Gunfire Support Range - some 13 000 hectares. The construction of the Lancelin to Cervantes Road will further restrict the training area, as it bisects the area traditionally used by the Army, some 17 300 hectares, and make Army and joint training untenable. The proposed extension will compensate for the training area restrictions created by the new road but also serves to provide an enhanced training capacity. The area is not necessarily large in comparison to other training areas around Australia used for similar purposes. However, one reason for the size in this case is that some of the area will have constraints on how it can be used due to environmental concerns and the need to rotate areas. The area also needs to be large enough to meet the expected long-term needs of Defence and for sustainability. The Lancelin location is unique in that it provides capability for limited scale joint and combined training that incorporates the use of the existing naval gunnery range, as well as meeting individual service needs. The proposed extension is contiguous with the existing Commonwealth owned and leased area. It is also close to major Defence assets such as HMAS Stirling, RAAF Base Pearce, Campbell Barracks at Swanbourne and Irwin Barracks at Karrakatta, thereby reducing training costs of fuel and travelling time. The option to extend the Lancelin Defence Training Area will allow Defence to concentrate its infrastructure and environmental management resources.
8. I am aware that the land and ecosystems affected by the proposal are relatively fragile and will need to be managed properly. Defence has undertaken to implement an appropriate environmental management regime to ensure that the proposed Defence use of the land is environmentally sustainable and that heritage sites are protected.
9. (a)Consideration has been given to potential alternative locations within a 500 kilometre radius of Perth, however, no suitable alternatives have been identified. The facilities at Northam and Bindoon are too small and do not have the preferred coastal access. (b) The location of the training area needs to be within a reasonable travelling time from Perth, which is considered to be no greater than 300 kilometres. The potential impact on the environment has been considered in the selection of the preferred site and the proposed management strategies.
10. The preparation of detailed environmental management plans and implementation plans before final decisions on the training area's size, orientation and constraints is not considered to be an efficient or effective use of Defence resources. It is normal procedure to wait for the outcome of the environmental impact assessment process to be known before management documents are prepared. The outcomes of the assessment process will lead to the structure and content of environmental strategies and plans.
11. The land is not listed on the Register of the National Estate.

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