woomera prohibited area

Well we know that the Chinese tried to get MOD to tell them all about metalstorm weapons a few years ago, and I reckon mach 5/50 would have had to fo been on the top of the list. it is interesting to see that Sen Faulkner is blocking a move by the Chinese to be part of a mining program slap bang in the middle Woomera test range area, that is where the testing of emerging technologies is taking place, I'll almost bet that one of them, is the one that metalstorm aren't even allowed to talk about by LAW?





Senator the Hon John Faulkner
Minister for Defence

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23 Sep 2009

MIN31/09
WESTERN PLAINS RESOURCES AND THE WOOMERA PROHIBITED AREA



The Woomera Prohibited Area (WPA) covers 127,000 square kilometres and is used by Defence for the testing of war materiel. Defence is obligated by law to ensure the safety and security of its testing activities by controlling access to the area.



Defence has been in negotiation with Western Plains Resources (WPR) regarding its proposed activity in the Hawks Nest Tenement since September 2007. This has included numerous discussions with departmental officials and formal representations to government including the most recent negotiations referred to in the company’s media release about its proposed joint venture arrangements intended to support mining on the site.



At no stage has WPR been given any undertaking by Defence that permission to access Hawks Nest for the purposes of carrying out this project would be granted.



Indeed, there have been numerous indications given to the company that access would be highly unlikely given the location of the Hawks Nest tenement is on the centre-line of the test range.



Mineral rights, including those under the WPA, are held by the State of South Australia which issues exploration and mining licences to resources companies under its own procedures and according to its own eligibility criteria. To exercise those rights in the WPA, companies must apply to Defence for a deed of access. When receiving an access request, Defence conducts a risk and compatibility assessment on a case by case basis. The assessment considers issues such as whether the location raises safety concerns or is likely to interfere with Defence’s weapons testing activities. As the activities carried out on the WPA are important to national security, Defence also considers the potential risks to these interests.



The Woomera Test Range is a significant contributor to Australia’s Defence capability and that of our allies. The need for this facility has increased greatly in recent years and will continue to increase due to emerging technologies.



Government practice favours multiple land use, including mining, wherever this is compatible with Defence’s use of the land. Accordingly, Defence cooperates with the South Australian Government and the mining industry to allow mining activity to occur within the Woomera Prohibited Area where this can be accommodated without compromising the use of the Woomera Test Range.



Other mining sites in the WPA outside the centre-line of the test range, including OZ Minerals Prominent Hill and WPR’s Peculiar Knob, have been agreed. Defence has also agreed arrangements with BHP Billiton to support their Olympic Dam site which is located on the eastern edge of the WPA.



Recently a number of resources companies which have interests within the WPA have been subject to acquisition proposals by foreign interests. As the activities conducted on the Woomera Test Range are sensitive, all such cases raise potential national security issues which require consideration.



The Foreign Investment Review Board provides advice to the Treasurer on whether a foreign investment proposal may be contrary to the national interest. This includes advice from Defence on whether it has approved mining access to land such as the WPA.



The Foreign Investment Review Board has adopted the practice of referring such proposals for Defence’s agreement before they are formally considered.



Defence then conducts the appropriate risk assessment and consultation processes and advises the companies concerned of the outcome. In some cases it will be possible to resolve any concerns highlighted by these processes to the mutual satisfaction of Defence and the companies involved. However, companies should not assume that access to the Woomera Prohibited Area will always be granted.



Decisions on such matters are made by Defence in accordance with established procedures.



In the case of the WPR, Defence applied the criteria and processes used in all applications of this type in developing its response as requested by the company.