Larissa Waters (Queensland, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

asked the Minister representing the Minister for Defence, upon notice, on 16 January 2011:

(1)   Is the defence radar on Turkey Hill, Acland intended to be moved for the stage 3 expansion of the New Acland Coal Mine (Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 referral no. 2007/3423); if so, will this be at the expense of the taxpayer.

(2)   Do army helicopters transiting from the nearby Oakey base avoid the existing New Acland Coal Mine to escape dust damage to engines.

(3)   Does the stage 3 expansion of the New Acland Coal Mine have any other implications for national defence operations in the area.

Kim Carr (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Defence Materiel) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

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

(1)   The Defence outer marker beacon located on Turkey Hill is integral to the Instrument Landing System used by aircraft landing at the Army Aviation Centre, Swartz Barracks, Oakey. Defence is in discussions with New Acland Coal Pty Ltd regarding its requirement to access the site at Turkey Hill, however, an agreement has not been reached at this time. If the beacon is to be relocated in support of the Stage 3 expansion, the costs associated would be borne by New Acland Coal Pty Ltd.

(2)   Army helicopters currently avoid the mine site to avoid the:

  (a)   risk of dust damage to engines;

  (b)   impact of white light on night vision flying; and

  (c)   risk associated with blasting operations to low flying aircraft.

(3)   The development of the stage 3 expansion of the New Acland Coal Mine will require Defence to realign its flight paths to avoid the mine site. Other than this, Defence does not see any other implications for national defence operations in the area.