House of Representatives Notice Paper Question No 1188
Schedule Number: 300335		 Publication Date: 11 May 2010
Hansard (Proof): Page 051

 

 Member: Baldwin

Mr Baldwin asked the Minister for Defence Personnel, Materiel and Science, in writing, on 4 February 2010:

  1. How many Defence Housing Australia (DHA) properties are located within noise affected areas surrounding the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Base Williamtown and the Port Stephens Shire (PSSC) Council region according to the (a) 2012, and (b) 2025, Australian Noise Exposure Forecast (ANEF).
  2. How many DHA property Development Applications for houses within (a) 2012, and (b) 2025, ANEF, noise affected areas surrounding RAAF Base Williamtown were approved in (a) 1, (b) 3, (c) 6, (d) 12, (e) 18, and (f) 24, months, prior to the public release of the 2025 ANEF.
  3. How many DHA property Development Applications for noise affected areas surrounding RAAF Base Williamtown have been approved since the release of the 2025 ANEF, and on what dates were those approvals made.
  4. Will DHA be required to retrofit DHA owned houses in areas identified in the 2025 ANEF as being noise affected.

Mr Combet - The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

  1.  
    1.   Under the 2012 ANEF, no DHA properties* are within noise affected areas.
    2. Under the 2025 ANEF, 42 DHA properties* are between the 20 and 25 ANEF contours.
      *Note: Only DHA owned properties are encompassed by this response on the grounds that lease expiries will take many of the DHA leased properties out of the portfolio by the time the 2025 ANEF is effective.
  2.  
    1. There have been no Development Applications for DHA houses within 2012 ANEF noise affected areas.
    2. (i) - (vi)  There have been 10 Development Applications for DHA houses within 2025 ANEF noise affected areas.  Six of these were approved six months before the public release of the 2025 ANEF (October 2009) and four were approved 18 months before the public release of the 2025 ANEF.
  3. None.
  4. DHA is not required by legislation to retrofit noise attenuation measures to existing houses that might be affected under the 2025 ANEF. However, DHA on its own initiative may retrofit noise attenuation measures, but no decision will be made on such action until the 2025 noise contours are finalised by Defence.     

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