Senate Notice Paper Question No 345 (40th Parliament)

Senate Notice Paper Question No 345		Publication Date: 19 August 2002 Hansard: Page 3207-11
Defence: Salt Ash Weapons Range		Senator: Evans

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

Have any Hawk lead-in fighters commenced training operations at RAAF Williamtown or the Salt Ash Weapons Range (SAWR) yet; if so: (a) in which of these two locations have the Hawks been used; (b) when did they first arrive; and (c) how many are there.
(a) On how many days in each financial year since 1995-96 has the SAWR been used; and (b) how many days has the SAWR been used during the 2001-2002 financial year to date.
Does the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) have any policy on what is the maximum noise acceptable for aircraft; if so, can a copy of any policy document be provided.
(a) What method of noise testing is most often used for RAAF aircraft; (b) what method was used to test the Hawks; (c) if the methods are different in any respect, why was the different aspect and/or different method chosen to test the Hawks.
If the policy identified in (3) specifies different acceptable noise levels for different zoning used, what are these differences, for example, what are the RAAF guidelines on the maximum and desirable decibel levels for high-density, medium-density and low-density residential areas, etc.
Was any consideration given to the noisiness of the Hawk lead-in fighter when the proposal was made by the RAAF to purchase them as replacements for the Macchi; if so, at what stage of the process was their noise considered (for example, in the first 2 months after the proposal was formulated, 2 weeks before it was put to the Minister, etc.).
What is the noise range of Macchi aircraft used at Williamtown and SAWR; please provide both the minimum and maximum decibels recorded at any time during the Macchi's use in both of these locations.
(a) What is the possible noise range of Hawk lead-in fighters (in other words the minimum and maximum decibels at which they are capable of operating); and (b) what were the recorded noise levels of the Hawks at Williamtown and SAWR over the duration of their activities in either of these places (please provide the maximum, minimum and average noise recorded and specify the period over which the average is calculated).
How often, and from which point or points in Williamtown and SAWR, have Hawk noised levels been recorded (please provide the dates and time of day and night the noise was gauged).
On any of the occasions set out in the answer to (9) was there more than one RAAF aircraft operating in the area and was the noise of the aircraft also recorded; if so: (a) what type of aircraft was operated simultaneously or overlapping with a Hawk; (b) what are the maximum and average decibel levels of such aircraft; and (c) can a copy of the noise records of such aircraft over the relevant period be provided.
Were any of the noise tests conducted on the Hawk for the purpose of data-collection for the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) prepared for introduction into service of the Hawk at Williamtown and SAWR conducted at less than full throttle.
Was a toxicologist asked to assess the physiological effects on humans resulting from exposure to loud noise as part of the preparation of the draft EIS or, alternatively, if anyone was requested to assess this effect, and the person was not a toxicologist, what formal qualification did this person have.
(a) How many flights in total have all the Hawk aircraft taken in the Williamtown and SAWR area since their arrival; (b) from what starting date is this figure calculated; and (c) how is the Williamtown/SAWR area defined.
Can the figure in (13) be broken down into: (a) the total number of flights made by each of the Hawks since their commencement at RAAF Williamtown; and (b) the number made by each for each month since their commencement.
Using the definition of the Williamtown/SAWR area adopted in (13), is more than one of the Hawks ever used in the area at the same time; if so, approximately how often, in percentage terms (for example, 75 per cent of the time).
Is the Hawk lead-in fighter 10 decibels noisier than the Macchi.
When was the decision made to prepare an EIS.
Was the EIS prepared in response to community concerns rather than as a legal requirement.
How many days did the draft EIS take to prepare (including as a separate figure what dates the data relied upon in the EIS was collected).
Was any monitoring conducted of fuel contamination levels in rainwater tanks in the Williamtown/SAWR are for the purpose of preparing the EIS; if so, can a copy of the study be provided; if not, why not.
Does the RAAF have water delivered to the SAWR, whereas in the past it has used water tanks on or near the SAWR for drinking water; if so, when did the water tanks ceased to be used.
(a) When was the last time atmospheric tests were conducted in the Williamtown/SAWR area; and (b) what did the results show.
What is the lowest level that Macchi have flown at in the Williamtown/SAWR area (please give the answer in feet or metres and give an approximate answer if there is no completely accurate data).
What is the lowest level that Hawks have flown, and are intended to fly, during future training exercises at Williamtown and SAWR (please give the answer in feet or metres and give an approximate answer if there is no completely accurate data).
(a) What types of training operation are conducted by the RAAF in the SAWR (for example, livefiring, bombing, fuel-dumping etc.) and (b) what percentage of all RAAF activities in the SAWR does each of the activities in (a) represent (approximately if no precise figures are available).
How many square kilometres does the RAAF need to conduct all of the operations described in the answer to (19).
Has the RAAF ever conducted any of the activities intended to be conducted within the SAWR outside the gazetted area; if so, when and why.
On average, how many litres of fuel do the Hawks burn per hour and how many litres of fuel do the Macchis burn per hour.
Can the Minister confirm that there are no limitations on RAAF bombing activity at SAWR during high-danger fire periods.
Have there been any back-burning or firewall-creation activities on the RAAF base at Williamtown or the SAWR.
(a) Do Hawks eject the cases for 30 millimetre cannon shells; and (b) how many shells is a Hawk designed to carry on a practice operation.
Have any phone calls made by members of the local RAAF Consultative Committee to the RAAF Williamtown base since June 2001 been electronically recorded (by audiotape or otherwise).

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

Yes.
1. Hawk training has commenced at Williamtown and SAWR.
2. The Hawk lead-in fighters first arrived at Williamtown in March 2000. The first deliveries to the RAAF occurred in October 2000.
3. There are currently 19 Hawk lead-in fighters based at RAAF Williamtown.
1. The following calendar year SAWR usage data is as follows (Note: data held is by calendar year):
  1995 - 97 days
  1996 - 105 days
  1997 - 121 days
  1998 - 111 days
  1999 - 135 days
  2000 - 111 days
2. For financial year 2001-02, until March 2002 the Hawk lead-in fighters have used the SAWR for 39 days in total.
No. The RAAF complies with the Occupational Health & Safety Act requirements for personnel employed in high noise areas.
1. The method used by the Defence acoustic consultants is measurement of individual aircraft movements for subsequent analysis and calculations. This may be measured in dB(A) for the Sound Exposure Level and the Maximum Sound Level, or in dB for the Effective Perceived Noise Level.
2. Same method as described in 4 (a).
3. No difference.
Defence plans its buildings in accordance with Australian Standard 2021. The standard specifies what types of buildings can be constructed in the various Australian Noise Exposure Forecast zones.
The noise level requirement for the Hawk lead-in fighter was considered during the development of the specification for the Request for Tender in 1995. The noise level requirement in the June 1997 contract specification for the Hawk 127 is:

"The Aircraft shall meet the requirements of International Civil Aviation Organisation Standard, International Standards and Recommended Practices, Environmental Protection, Annex 16, Volume 1, Chapter 2 noise requirements."

The Commonwealth has verified through the aircraft acceptance process that the aircraft meets the contract specification.
As the Macchi is not in Defence service it is not possible to measure the aircraft noise emissions.
1. Assuming the point of interest is directly below the aircraft overflying at 1000 feet altitude with 100% thrust and at a speed of 263 knots, the L(A)max is 97.1 dB(A). For the same altitude, with 80% and at a speed of 163 knots, the L(A)max is 70.2 dB(A).
2. While the Hawk lead-in fighters were conducting training at SAWR, measurements were taken at four locations. The aircraft noise was measured at Medowie with minimum less than 45.0 dB(A), maximum less than 65 dB(A) and the mathematical average 56 dB(A), at Salt Ash Public School with minimum less than 45 dB(A), maximum 76.9 dB(A) and the mathematical average 72.4 dB(A), at Salt Ash Township – Tonia Avenue with minimum 66 dB(A), maximum 91.9 dB(A) and the mathematical average 80 dB(A), and at Moffats Road with minimum 62 dB(A), maximum 83.4 dB(A) and the mathematical average 73.4 dB(A). The average noise was not measured on this occasion.
Noise level measurements included in the EIS were taken simultaneously on Monday 4 March 2002 between 1500 and 1545 hours at the following locations:

Tonia Avenue, Salt Ash;
Salt Ash Public School, Nelson Bay Road, Salt Ash;
Koala Close, Medowie; and
Moffat's Oyster Barn, Moffats Road, Swan Bay.
Yes. Other aircraft overflying.
1. F/A-18.
2. For F/A-18, the maximum decibel levels are approximately 106.5 dB(A) on take-off with afterburner.
3. Yes. A copy of this has been forwarded separately to your office.
Yes. RAAF aircraft were operated throughout the throttle range required to achieve the flight profiles requested by URS Australia Pty Ltd consultants commissioned by Defence to prepare the EIS.
No. A Human Health Risk Assessment is included at Appendix G of the EIS.
1. Approximately 5000.
2. March 2000.
3. Any flights originating from or recovering to RAAF Williamtown.
Not at this time. Significant effort and dedicated resources would be required to provide a full breakdown of Hawk usage data.
In general, Hawk lead-in fighters will operate in pairs from RAAF Williamtown. From SAWR primarily in a four ship formation and at times in pairs but rarely alone.
As the Macchi is not in Defence service any more, the data can not be confirmed. However, it is acknowledged that Hawk lead-in fighters are noisier than the Macchi aircraft it replaced.
21 June 2000.
The EIS was prepared in response to both community concerns and as a legal requirement.
Preparation of the draft EIS commenced in October 2001 and was completed in April 2002. The EIS documents when all the data was collected.
No. Testing of rainwater tanks was conducted from 4 June to 6 June 2002 and the results will be included in the supplementary report.
Yes. Treated water is now provided to Defence members. Originally, the only water available to SAWR staff was tank water. RAAF Williamtown is investigating when tank water ceased to be used.
Air quality was a topic covered in the Hawk EIS.
1. There has been no specific ambient air quality monitoring performed at RAAF Williamtown or SAWR. The closest ambient air quality monitors are at Newcastle monitored by NSW Environment Protection Agency and Mayfield monitored by BHP and Newcastle Council. RAAF Williamtown have previously estimated emissions from RAAF Williamtown and aircraft using SAWR by using recognised published emissions estimation techniques. This was done as part of the development of an Environmental Management Plan for RAAF Williamtown and SAWR.
2. The results from these previous estimations will be used as a guide to decide whether actual measuring of ambient air quality is required.
The Macchi has flown at 50 feet during weapons passes over the SAWR and 150 feet in promulgated low flying areas.
The Hawk lead-in fighters have flown at 250 feet at SAWR and in promulgated low flying areas.
1. RAAF practices bombing and gunnery training operations at SAWR.
2. 80 per cent bombing and 20 per cent gunnery.
The SAWR provides the minimum area of 2800 hectares required to meet operational requirements.
Yes. Initial operational checks on the Hawk lead-in fighter gun were conducted out to sea in the Williamtown flying area.
Fuel consumption for the Hawk lead-in fighter is 1250 litres per hour and the Macchi is 1019 litres per hour.
No. The following limitations relate to RAAF bombing activity at SAWR during high danger fire periods:
-Flying activity must be authorised by Commander Air Combat Group.
-Open fire target illumination is not allowed.
Yes. RAAF Williamtown staff conducted a hazard reduction burn in the SAWR target area in January 2002 to improve visibility of practice bombs dropped in the target area. This activity was conducted in consultation with the Rural Fire Service and is a rare event. There have been no other recorded burning activities at RAAF Williamtown or SAWR since 1998. RAAF Williamtown conducts slashing activities and maintains firetrails on Defence land in consultation with the Hunter Water Board.
1. Yes. However the shell links are retained and a case retention modification is in development.
2. The Hawk lead-in fighter carries 60 shells on practice operations.
Telephone calls to RAAF Williamtown central switch are only recorded at the beginning of a call until they are transferred to a specific extension number on base. This is documented for management and statistical purposes only. These tapes are held for a number of months. RAAF Williamtown has not directed central switch to conduct any electronic recording activity of calls initiated by the RAAF Consultative Committee.

Defence: Salt Ash Weapons Range