18/03/2005 - A major reform
to the way environmental aspects of major
military exercises will be assessed has been
announced today by Defence Minister, Robert
Hill and Environment and Heritage Minister,
Ian Campbell.
"This new approach sensibly balances
the need for our Defence forces to train for
our national security, while ensuring there
is no compromise in our commitment to the
Australian environment," Senator Campbell
said.
"Currently, each time Defence conducts
a major exercise that may have a significant
impact on the environment, it must be referred
to me under the Environment Protection and
Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act).
"The new arrangement will seek to address
all the environmental requirements covered
under the EPBC Act, so that future exercises
will not need to be referred to me if they
meet agreed requirements."
Senator Hill said the Australian Defence
Force undertakes a major military training
exercise every second year on average.
"This strategic assessment is the first
of its kind in the world," Senator Hill
said.
"It will both provide certainty and
flexibility when planning exercises, and also
ensure best practice environmental management.
"Defence is committed to protecting
the environment and is a good neighbour in
environmental matters no matter how big the
exercise.
"Our most recent major military exercise
involved US forces in a complex air, land
and water combat scenario. All activities
were managed through a Combined Exercise Instruction
to ensure no significant environmental impacts
occurred."
The EPBC Act is the Australian Government's
main piece of environmental legislation.
Under the EPBC Act, actions that take place
on Commonwealth land or that have, or are
likely to have, a significant impact on the
environment and any matters of national significance,
such as threatened species or national or
world heritage places, are prohibited unless
prior approval is granted by the Minister
for the Environment and Heritage.
