Stephen Conroy (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

The Minister for Defence has provided the following answer to the honourable senator's question:

(1) Talisman Sabre 2011 is a joint and combined exercise and the funding is broken down across the Services and Headquarters Joint Operations Command (HQJOC). The total cost to Defence to conduct the exercise incorporates the participation of other areas in Defence, and will not be known until after the exercise is complete, including any clean-up operations. For Talisman Sabre 2009 the cost of the exercise to Defence was estimated at approximately $48 million, excluding the cost of ownership of Australian Defence Force (ADF) assets.

It is not possible to separately cost Defence's environmental management of Exercise Talisman Sabre 2011. Environmental management responsibilities for the exercise are incorporated into participating staff's duties as part of Defence's ongoing Environmental Management System. No financial resources will be dedicated to herding dugongs out of live fire areas as this is not the approach that Defence takes to mitigating risks to dugongs. Defence vessels avoid dugongs by altering course, slowing or stopping altogether when encountering these or other marine mammals, and activities such as live fire exercises are suspended if dugongs are at risk of harm.

(2) (a) Talisman Sabre 2011 is a United States (US) led, Australian supported combined exercise focused on the planning and conduct of warfighting. The exercise does not include any scenarios involving training for nuclear warfare.

The environmental impact assessment process is designed to identify the potential risks of exercise activities and mitigate any effects to the extent practical. Talisman Sabre exercises do not cause any significant damage to the environment. It should be noted that Defence training areas like Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA) have been specifically set aside by the Government for the military to undertake training activities that have some risk of impacts.

Defence has been conducting major combined joint exercises at SWBTA for many years. Capricornia Conservation Council (CCC) observed on 22 March 2011 that 'for the past 16 years, conservation interests have been represented on the SWBTA Environmental Advisory Committee (EAC). CCC has, in the main, been supportive of the measures taken by Defence to study, monitor and manage the SWBTA environment. Recent activities have included improved fire and pest management practices, the temporary closure of roads and damaged sectors to ensure remediation can occur following exercises… CCC believes that Defence has provided effective custodianship of SWBTA.'

Risk workshops are conducted for each Talisman Sabre exercise with Defence, the Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities (SEWPaC) and environmental consultants. An example of a previous 2005 workshop which evaluated various Defence activities including nuclear accidents is on the GBRMPA website at:

http://www.gbrmpa.gov.au/corp_site/management/eam/project_examples/defence.

(b) The potential for environmental impacts of major exercises are assessed by Defence in accordance with the requirements of relevant environmental, health and safety laws, international treaty obligations and Defence's own internal policies and procedures. The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) also provides environmental advice to Defence on the potential impact of Defence activities on the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.

(c) As is the case with other major exercises, Defence has undertaken the assessment of Talisman Sabre 2011 using the services of a professional environmental consulting company. The process has also involved regular consultation with representatives from State and Commonwealth environmental regulatory agencies.

(d) The assessment has not yet been completed and will not be finalised until after the final exercise planning conference confirms the activities that will be undertaken as part of the exercise. To date no significant environmental impacts have been identified.

(e) and (g) The condition of Defence training areas are routinely assessed as part of Defence's training area management procedures and environmental management systems.

SBWTA terrestrial areas were not affected by the Fitzroy River flood in Rockhampton in early 2011. So far in 2011 the training area has received large amounts of localised rainfall which has resulted in localised flooding. Defence is actively monitoring on ground conditions and has strategies to enable activities to proceed where the environmental conditions allow activities to occur in a sustainable manner.

Infrastructure maintenance works have continued to occur to conduct repairs and routine maintenance to flood damaged road networks within SWBTA. These works commenced on 25 January 2011 and are ongoing.

Tropical Cyclone Yasi caused vegetation damage at Cowley Beach Training Area (CBTA). Vegetation debris is currently being removed from the track network at CBTA. Only those parts of training areas that are considered suitable for the conduct of activities under the Talisman Sabre banner will be used.

(f) N/A.

(h) No. Most of the naval elements are not located in the Great Barrier Reef but will be operating well offshore in the Coral, Timor and Arafura Seas. Some naval activity associated with the conduct of an amphibious landing will occur at SWBTA. It is not considered that this activity will have any measurable impact on the environmental values of the Great Barrier Reef.

(3)   (a) The Darumbal people have representation on the SWBTA Environmental Advisory Committee (EAC). This meeting is held biannually and membership is made up of local key stakeholders including the GBRMPA, State Government Department of Environment and Resources Management (DERM) and Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation (DEEDI), neighbouring graziers, Forestry Plantations Qld Pty Ltd, conservation group representation, Central Queensland University, fisheries representatives and Rockhampton Regional Council.

Defence provides members with an update of upcoming exercises and activities for SWBTA along with planned works (infrastructure and environmental).

A representative from the professional environmental consulting company who is undertaking the Public Environment Report attended the 12 October 2010 meeting. Members were advised of public consultation dates and locations along with an overview of the Talisman Sabre 2011 exercise concept of operations. All EAC members are provided detailed minutes from the meetings.

(b) The Darumbal member was unable to attend the 12 October 2010 meeting however has been informed of the meeting discussions and provided with the meeting minutes.

(c) N/A.

(4) (a) No.

(b) All emissions and contamination arising from Defence activities associated with the exercises are managed in accordance with international treaty obligations, Australian domestic environmental, health and safety laws, Defence internal policies and procedures and specific exercise plans and protocols. Environmental monitoring data has been collected from water catchments around impact areas at SWBTA which demonstrates that use of SWBTA for military training is not having an impact on neighbours or the Great Barrier Reef. There have not been any significant incidents that have caused contamination of the environment arising from major exercises.

(c) No. All discharges to the environment occurring as part of the exercise are carefully managed in accordance with all relevant environmental laws and procedures. Discharge of sewage and ballast water from ships is strictly regulated to a standard that meets or exceeds the requirements of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) and particularly for naval vessels operating in the Great Barrier Reef.

(d) No. Defence has repeatedly assured the Australian public over many years that depleted uranium ordnance is not in the inventory of munitions approved for use in Australia.

(5) (a) Yes.

(b) Perchlorate contamination is an issue on military training areas particularly where large numbers of rocket propelled munitions have impacted on training area targets. In Australia, Defence has done some monitoring of target areas to assess whether perchlorate contamination might be a significant issue. Given the comparatively low number of perchlorate containing munitions used in Australia, contamination is not considered a significant risk. No targeting of the marine environment by ordnance containing perchlorate is planned for Talisman Sabre 2011.

(c) SWBTA has an established annual water quality monitoring program consisting of 27 established sites. All sites are freshwater sources. Surface water is tested for a mixture of the following parameters: physiochemicals, nutrients, chlorophyll, pathogens, metals (dissolved), high explosives, petroleum oil and lubricants and pesticides / insecticides.

Water Park Creek is specifically tested for physiochemicals, nutrients, chlorophyll, pathogens, metals (dissolved), high explosives, petroleum oil and lubricants and pesticides/insecticides.

Sandy Creek is tested for physiochemicals, nutrients, chlorophyll, pathogens, metals (dissolved), high explosives and pesticides/insecticides.

Annual testing commenced in April 2011 and results are expected in June 2011. No Groundwater testing occurs on SWBTA.

(d) Yes.

(e) Ordnance is only introduced into the environment in designated target areas. Metals contamination is an issue that Defence routinely manages on its training ranges.

(6) (a) No.

(b) No. Defence understand that the US Navy holds permits from the US regulatory agencies to operate the types of sonar fitted to US ships. Defence is not aware that the US Navy has exemption from US legislation that would permit the use of sonar anywhere in the world.

(c) No. Talisman Sabre 2007 was not held in Hawaii. Australia participated in RIMPAC exercises in Hawaii. Defence understands that the courts in the US did not accept all the claims being made by environmental groups about the potential for sonar to harm marine mammals.

(d), (f) and (g)   As set out in the PER, the use of military sonar during exercises in Australia is strictly regulated by procedures recognised as leading the world in terms of the level of protection afforded to marine mammals.

(e) Procedures require sonar to be shut down if whales approach too close to ships. Defence has funded significant world class research on marine mammal habitat in the Coral Sea, and research outcomes have been used to ensure that sonar activities are not programmed to be conducted in areas where animals are known to congregate.

(h) Sonar performance parameters are classified. However, Defence Science and Technology acoustic experts have advised that the received levels from active sonar will have fallen below levels considered to have the potential to disturb marine mammals within 4,000 yards of the ship. These levels are similar to those mandated for other noise generating activities in the marine environment.

(7) An area of two hectares undersea in Shoalwater Bay will not be destroyed during Talisman Sabre 2011. Underwater demolitions occur at the existing demolitions range in Shoalwater Bay. The area impacted by activities involving demolitions over the past 20 years is approximately two hectares. The pristine marine area of Shoalwater Bay is 164,000 hectares. The Defence impact area represents approximately 0.0012 per cent of the Shoalwater Bay marine area.

(a) The PER identifies accidental physical and/or psychological harm to marine fauna caused by collisions from vessel manoeuvres and amphibious landings as a potential impact to the marine environment. This potential risk and impact is mitigated to an acceptable level through management controls such as the Talisman Sabre 2011 Environmental Management Plan (EMP) and the ADF Maritime Activities EMP. The ADF Maritime Activities EMP dictates strict procedures recognised as leading the world in terms of the level of protection afforded to marine mammals. Procedures in place require activities to cease if marine mammals are detected prior or during the exercise, reducing the risk of physical harm to marine mammals to very low.

(b) None.

(8) (a) Aerial surveys of dugong populations commissioned by GBRMPA have been carried out by James Cook University since 1984. The most recent aerial survey conducted in Shoalwater Bay was in 2005 and the numbers were estimated at 895±295 (population estimate ± standard error).

(b) The PER does not state marine mammals will be ushered out of SWBTA. The claim that large marine mammals are moved is not correct. The mitigation measures in place for Talisman Sabre 2011 used to prevent injury to marine mammals do not include any form of herding, relocation or displacement. The measures require the participants to cease activities if marine mammals are detected during a monitoring period before the activity commences, or during the activity itself.

(c) Talisman Sabre 2011 activities have been carefully programmed to avoid areas where marine mammals are known to congregate. As a secondary precaution, vigilant monitoring and, where necessary, shutdown of activities is mandated by the Talisman Sabre 2011 EMP and the ADF Maritime Activities EMP.

(9) (a) Defence annually produces a hazard reduction burn plan, designed to reduce fuel loads with an aim of securing the training area boundary (from the potential of fire escaping or coming into the training area), protect assets and conducting burns for ecological purposes.

Defence staff and Defence contractors meet with Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, Forestry Plantations Qld Pty Ltd and Queensland Fire and Rescue Service annually to discuss proposed burns and work together where possible on combined boundary protection.

Range Standing Orders stipulate that no live firing is to occur within one kilometre of the range boundary. Defence also enforces site restrictions such as restricted use of flares and pyrotechnics in certain sectors of SWBTA to further reduce the risk of fires in certain areas.

(b) Overflight of populated areas by military aircraft is strictly controlled to avoid subjecting people to unacceptable levels of noise.

(c) Yes.

(d) See response to 7.

(10) (a) Ballast water discharge is regulated by the International Maritime Organisation's (IMO) Ballast Water Convention. Participants will manage the marine pest risks posed by ballast water exchange in accordance with the IMO's Ballast Water Convention prior to entry into the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. All but a very small proportion of ballast water is embarked and discharged at the same location, preventing significant risk of translocation.

(b) All shipborne wastes are managed in accordance with the IMO's Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships 1973, as modified by the Protocol of 1978 (Marine Pollution (MARPOL) 1973/1978). Plastic materials, known to create ingestion and entanglement hazard to marine animals, are banned from being discharged by MARPOL, and Talisman Sabre 2011 participants are required to comply with this international ban.

(11) (a) Defence complies with the provisions of Australia's environmental laws including the Commonwealth's Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act and the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act. Formal impact assessments are only required if the environmental impacts are considered significant.

(b) Environmental reports are prepared by expert environmental consultants engaged by Defence. Environmental risk assessments involve both Commonwealth and State representatives from environmental regulatory agencies. For Exercise Talisman Sabre, the Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, populations and Communities and the GBRMPA participated in the environmental risk assessments. Where impacts that are likely to be significant are identified these are referred to the Environment Minister for consideration. Defence also has its own professional environmental impact assessment staff who review exercise plans and procedures. For a major exercise like Talisman Sabre an Environmental Management Group is also appointed within the Combined Exercise Control group to advise senior military planners running the exercise on environmental mitigation and compliance issues.

(c) and (d) No. Defence does not consider such an analysis would be an effective use of taxpayer funds.