As a result of military training and live firing undertaken by Australian and Allied forces, there are many areas throughout Australia not controlled by the Commonwealth, which may be subject to residual Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) contamination.
In accordance with the Commonwealth Policy on the Management of Land in Australia Affected by Unexploded Ordnance, Defence has undertaken research to identify and record sites where there is potential for such contamination.
Sites that are known or suspected of having been used for military activity are categorised according to the assessed potential for UXO contamination. If appropriate, sites are divided into assessment zones and categorised.
Land parcels within categorised areas retain the categorisation unless they have been appropriately investigated or remediated. While Defence endeavours to keep the information as accurate as possible, it is not possible to record changes relating to remediation at the individual lot/plan level. Advice as to the current conditions and local requirements should be referred to the appropriate state, territory and/or local authorities.
Information is drawn from a range of sources, including:
- Australian Defence Force Explosive Ordnance Incident Reports (EOIR)
- Commonwealth Gazettes, Unit War Diaries and other records
- current and recently archived Defence files
- field investigation surveys
- other government agencies.
Currently, the UXO contamination site data for Western Australia has been provided by the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) of WA, and copyright is owned by the State of Western Australia. Defence continues to work with DFES in order to validate this information.
Categories for Unexploded Ordnance potential
In order to assist those with interests in land and land management activities, Defence categorises the potential presence of UXO as follows:
- substantial
- slight
- remote
- other
- information
- sea dumping area.
These categories highlight where there is a potential for UXO to exist but are not a risk rating. Categories are based on historical research and do not take into account the intended usage of the land or the potential hazards associated with UXO. In order to fully understand the risk that the potential presence of UXO creates, a full UXO risk assessment is necessary.
Substantial
Sites categorised as substantial will have a confirmed history of military activities that often results in residual hazards. There is a history of numerous UXO finds or heavy residual evidence such as fragmentation.
Areas likely to be assessed as substantial include high explosive impact areas, target areas within wider manoeuvre training areas, areas of heavy explosive ordnance disposal and burials.
While current land usage may continue without specific UXO search or remediation, Defence recommends that specialist advice is obtained. A detailed UXO risk assessment and UXO management plan should be developed as necessary.
Any development, land usage re-zoning proposals, or other significant changes in proposed activities should only proceed once an appropriate UXO Risk Assessment has been conducted by a suitable specialist. Mitigations should be implemented to address the risks identified. Mitigations can include one or more of the following:
- field investigations to refine hazard areas
- remediation to remove or neutralise hazards (preferred)
- a formal UXO management plan
- UXO risks included in the construction site safety management plan.
Slight
Sites categorised as slight have a confirmed history of military activities that often results in residual hazards, but where confirmed UXO affected areas cannot be defined. UXO or explosive ordnance fragments or components may have occasionally been recovered from the site.
Sites assessed as slight include:
- identified buffer zones around impact areas
- field firing areas used for manoeuvre training
- ranges used for non-high explosive practices
- areas where historical disposal and burial activities may have occurred.
Land use may continue without further UXO investigation or remediation, however Defence recommends obtaining specialist advice and undertaking a detailed UXO risk assessment and developing a UXO management plan. Ongoing activities and the possibility of encountering munitions should be adequately addressed in activity plans (e.g. construction site safety management plans).
Remote
Sites categorised as remote may have records which confirm that the area was used for military purposes, however the activity is of a nature that makes it unlikely that UXO would exist. UXO or explosive ordnance fragments or components have not been recovered from the site. Alternatively, areas that have been subject to Defence validated UXO remediation may also be categorised as remote.
All land usage and development, within these areas, may continue without further UXO investigation or remediation. If at any time UXO or related material is identified, Defence recommends seeking specialist advice.
Other
Defence records confirm that the area was used for military training but do not confirm that the site was used for live firing. UXO or explosive ordnance fragments or components have not been recovered from the site and it would be inappropriate to assess as either slight, substantial or remote.
These sites are included for general information purposes only. Defence makes no recommendations in regards to this category.
Information
Defence records confirm that the area was used for routine military activity, but of a type not associated with producing UXO. Defence assessment is that it would be inappropriate to assess as having UXO potential.
These sites are included for general information purposes only. Defence makes no recommendations in regards to this category.
Sea dumping area
These areas were used for historical sea-dumping of waste material which may include explosive ordnance. These sites are generally marked on charts and published in notice to mariners along with the appropriate advice.
There are no restrictions to surface maritime activities in these areas. Any activity that will disturb the seabed such as anchoring, trawling and dredging are prohibited in these areas.
Ocean areas
There are a number of offshore sites where ammunition and explosives have been dumped, or which have been used as live bombing or firing ranges. Notification and management of and the right to control access to such sites are complex legal issues.
Areas identified as having UXO potential that are entirely in the ocean (including coastal waters) are sub-divided into two categories:
- operational
- disposal.
Operational
These areas have been used for military activities, either on the surface or in the air above the ocean and may have resulted in potential UXO being present on the sea-bed.
These areas may include seaward firing shore batteries, buffer zones around air to ground bombing targets and air to air combat ranges.
There are no restrictions to surface maritime activities in these areas. Activities that will disturb the seabed should be subject to the same advice as their land counterparts.
Disposal (sea dumping)
These areas were used for historical sea-dumping of waste material which may include explosive ordnance. These sites are generally marked on charts and published in notice to mariners along with the appropriate advice.
There are no restrictions to surface maritime activities in these areas. Any activity that will disturb the sea bed such as anchoring, trawling and dredging are prohibited.