Woomera Prohibited Area Advisory Board...W Annual Report 3Chair’s Report On behalf of the Woomera Prohibited Area (WPA) Advisory Board I present the Annual Report for the period

Woomera Prohibited AreaAdvisory Board Annual Report

2014–2015

Acknowledgement of CountryDefence respectfully acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land—both past and present.

Defence also acknowledges the services of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men and women who have

contributed to defending Australia and its national interest.

Image warningAboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are advised that this document may contain images or content

referring to deceased persons. It may also contain words or descriptions that are culturally sensitive.

© Commonwealth of Australia 2015

This work is copyright. Apart from any use as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, no part may be

reproduced by any process without prior written permission from the Department of Defence.

Contact DetailsWoomera Prohibited Area Coordination Office

Department of Defence

R1-1-D Zone

PO Box 7901

Canberra BC ACT 2610

www.defence.gov.au/woomera

Woomera Prohibited AreaAdvisory Board Annual Report

2014–2015

1Woomera Prohibited Area Advisory Board - Annual Report

ContentsChair’s Report ....................................................................................................................3

Executive Summary ..........................................................................................................4

Advisory Board ..................................................................................................................5Membership .................................................................................................................. 5Board Terms of Reference—Annual Report ................................................................... 5Functions ...................................................................................................................... 5Remuneration ................................................................................................................ 6

Table 1: Remuneration ............................................................................................. 6Reporting Period ........................................................................................................... 6Terms of appointment .................................................................................................... 6Advisory Board meetings ............................................................................................... 6

9 December 2014—Woomera Prohibited Area ........................................................ 61 May 2015—Adelaide ............................................................................................ 7

Advisory Board meeting attendance .............................................................................. 7Table 2: Meeting attendance .................................................................................... 7

Woomera Prohibited Area overview ...........................................................................8The importance of the WPA to Defence ......................................................................... 8The importance of the WPA for non-Defence users ....................................................... 8Return of Maralinga Tjarutja lands .................................................................................. 8

Regulatory Framework ................................................................................................. 10

Economic potential of the WPA ................................................................................. 12SA Government economic/resource potential assessment .......................................... 12

Facts and Figures .......................................................................................................... 13SA Government tenements and licences—Mineral, Petroleum and Geothermal Exploration ............................................................................................... 13

Table 3: Tenements and licences ............................................................................ 13Mining and exploration compliance .............................................................................. 14

Table 4: Mines in the WPA ...................................................................................... 14Pastoral lease ownership transfers .............................................................................. 15New deeds or access permits issued by Defence ........................................................ 15

Table 5: Deeds and permits ................................................................................... 15Table 6: Resource deeds, permits and access ....................................................... 16Table 7: Resource personnel .................................................................................. 16Table 8: Opal permits ............................................................................................. 16Table 9: Tourist permits .......................................................................................... 16

Opal Mining ................................................................................................................. 17

Defence use of the WPA .............................................................................................. 18Woomera Test Range usage ........................................................................................ 18Exclusion Periods exercised over the reporting period ................................................. 18

Table 10: Exclusion periods FY 2014–15 ................................................................ 18Exclusion Periods planned for Financial Year 2015–16 ................................................. 19

Table 11: Planned exclusion periods FY 2015–16 .................................................. 19

Non-Defence users’ views on co-existence ......................................................... 20

Annex A Table 4: Mines within the WPA ................................................................. 21

2 Woomera Prohibited Area Advisory Board - Annual Report


Chair’s ReportOn behalf of the Woomera Prohibited Area (WPA) Advisory Board I present the Annual Report for the period 1 July 2014 to 30 June 2015.

During the reporting year, the Advisory Board had the opportunity to participate in a ceremony held at the Maralinga Village in November 2014 to formally acknowledge the excision of an area of Maralinga Tjarutja lands known as ‘Section 400’ from the WPA. The Maralinga Tjarutja people have already developed a successful tourism enterprise conducting guided tours of that part of their traditional lands and will no longer have such access restricted by Defence activities.

Another significant milestone during the reporting year was the introduction of the co existence legislative framework in August 2014 that provides greater certainty over Defence activity in the WPA and provides the access arrangements for new non Defence users. This legislative framework gives effect to the Hawke Review recommendations.

I would like to acknowledge the hard work of three former ex officio Board members: Ms Jan Mason (Department of Finance) and Mr Martin Hoffman (Department of Industry, Innovation and Science) who have taken up other appointments; and Air Marshal Geoff Brown AO who retired as Chief of the Air Force.

Finally I would also like to acknowledge the contribution of the Board’s Deputy Chair, the Hon Paul Holloway, and the other ex officio members of the Board for their continued support and cooperation over the reporting year.

Stephen Loosley AMChair Woomera Prohibited Area Advisory Board


Executive SummaryOn 9 August 2014 the Defence Legislation Amendment (Woomera Prohibited Area) Act 2014 came into force and gave effect to the recommendations made in the Australian Government’s Review of the Woomera Prohibited Area, known as the Hawke Review.

In particular, the Act authorises the Minister for Defence to make, by legislative instrument and with the agreement of the Industry Minister, the Woomera Prohibited Area Rules. The Woomera Prohibited Area Rule 2014 came into effect on 27 August 2014. It sets the regulatory framework for new non Defence users to access the Woomera Prohibited Area (WPA) under the co existence scheme envisaged by the Hawke Review.

The WPA remains Australia’s most important military testing range. Although there were fewer testing activities compared to the previous reporting period, the complexity and number of trials is expected to increase in coming years following the introduction of new military capabilities and weapons systems that will be facilitated by the current program to upgrade the test range’s infrastructure and systems.

Minerals and energy resources exploration and mining provide the highest economic value among non‑Defence activities in the WPA despite the downturn in commodity prices in recent years. During the reporting period, there were three mines operating in the WPA under their extant deeds of access arrangements—the Challenger gold mine; the Prominent Hill copper-gold mine; and the Peculiar Knob iron ore mine. The Peculiar Knob operations were suspended in April 2015. These mines employed over 1,500 people and have contributed around $50 million to South Australia in royalties. The new owner of the Cairn Hill mine sought ‘in principle’ permission to access the WPA with the intention of applying during the next reporting period for a Resource Production permit under the Woomera Prohibited Area Rule 2014, which has since been approved.

Other groups with significant ongoing interests in the WPA include Indigenous groups and freehold landowners, pastoralists, tourists and the Tarcoola to Darwin rail owner and operators.


Advisory BoardMembershipThe WPA Advisory Board was established in October 2012, and the independent Chair, Mr Stephen Loosley AM, and the Deputy Chair, the Hon Paul Holloway, were appointed for a three-year term.

The Board also includes ex officio members from Australian Government and South Australian Government stakeholder agencies.

As at 30 June 2015, the Advisory Board’s membership status was:

AppointeesMr Stephen Loosley AM—Chair

The Hon Paul Holloway—Deputy Chair

Ex officio membersMr Peter Baxter—Deputy Secretary Strategy, Department of Defence

Dr Paul Heithersay PSM—Deputy Chief Executive, Resources and Energy, SA Department of State Development

Air Marshal Gavin (Leo) Davies AO, CSC, Chief of Air Force

Mr John Edge—Deputy Secretary Business, Procurement and Asset Management, Department of Finance

Dr Steven Kennedy—Deputy Secretary Resources, Department of Industry, Innovation and Science

Mr Andy Keough CSC—Chief Executive Officer, Defence SA

Board Terms of Reference—Annual ReportThis report fulfils the requirement to report annually on the balance of interests in the WPA. In preparing the annual report on the balance of interests in the WPA and in assessing extant co‑existence policy and procedures, the Terms of Reference require the Board to:• call for submissions from non‑Defence users on their experience with obtaining access to and operating in the WPA;• assess Defence use of the WPA for the preceding 12 months and anticipated use for the subsequent 12 months

as provided by the Coordination Office; and• assess:

• the number of tenements renewed or granted in the past 12 months and the number anticipated in the next 12 months; and

• updates on the resources potential of the WPA as provided by the Coordination Office.

Functions As outlined in its Terms of Reference, the Advisory Board is to: • monitor and recommend amendments to coexistence policies and procedures; • develop high‑level relationships between Defence and the resources sector; • resolve disputes between Defence and non‑Defence users; • report annually on the balance of interests in the WPA; and • conduct a review every seven years on the balance of interests in the WPA.


RemunerationThe remuneration base fee and meeting fee for the Chair of the Board is determined by the Remuneration Tribunal in its determination Remuneration and Allowances for Holders of Part Time Public Office and Tier 2 travel entitlements under the Remuneration Tribunal’s Determination Official Travel by Office Holders. The Minister for Defence determined that the Deputy Chair would be paid 80 per cent of the Chair’s base fee, and Tier 2 travel entitlements. No remuneration is payable to ex officio members. Remuneration paid is at Table 1.

Table 1: Remuneration

1 July 2014 to 30 June 2015Remuneration Paid

(GST Inclusive)Meeting Fees

(GST Inclusive)Chair—Mr Stephen Loosley AM $13,312 $1,844.00Deputy Chair—The Hon Paul Holloway $10,649 n/a

Reporting PeriodThis third annual report of the Advisory Board covers the 12‑month period 1 July 2014 to 30 June 2015.

Terms of appointmentThe terms of appointment for the current Chair and Deputy Chair are three years, which conclude on 31 October 2015. The appointments were subsequently extended for six months, from 1 April 2016 to 30 September 2016.

Ex officio members relinquish membership on cessation of their substantive appointments within their respective government departments.

Advisory Board meetingsThe Advisory Board has transitioned from quarterly meetings to half-yearly meetings, with meeting locations to be rotated between Adelaide, Canberra and the Woomera Prohibited Area.

Two Advisory Board meetings were held during the reporting period.

9 December 2014—Woomera Prohibited Area The first Board meeting in the reporting year was held in Woomera on 9 December 2014, in conjunction with a WPA stakeholder open day. This event, hosted by the Royal Australian Air Force, gives stakeholders with an interest in the WPA the opportunity to give informal feedback and share their experiences with Defence and Air Force officials responsible for administering the various aspects of the WPA regulatory framework that includes its policy, procedural, operational, compliance and weapons testing environment.

Representatives from three stakeholder groups addressed the Board to discuss their experiences in accessing the WPA and of co‑existence more broadly. The representatives were from a petroleum exploration company, a tourist operator and the opal mining sector.

The Board members also had the opportunity to further engage informally with a broader range of stakeholders when they attended the open day static aircraft and F/A-18 aerial display at the Woomera airfield.

Following the Advisory Board meeting, the Board members attended a formal stakeholder dinner at the Woomera Village. The guest speaker, Wing Commander Jonathan McMullan, Commanding Officer No. 5 Flight, RAAF Base Amberley in Queensland, spoke of the importance of the WPA and how the experience of operating and training there had directly supported the preparation of Heron Remotely Piloted Aircraft System crews for their combat deployments to Afghanistan.


A Heron Remotely Piloted Aircraft at RAAF Base Woomera.

1 May 2015—AdelaideThe second Board meeting in the reporting year was held in Adelaide on 1 May 2015. Agenda items included the implementation of the legislative framework; recent mine and possible pastoral lease acquisitions; existing user arrangements; and use of the WPA more broadly.

Two members were soon to step down from their ex officio appointments. The Board extended its thanks to Air Marshal Geoffrey Brown AO, Chief of Air Force, and Ms Jan Mason, Department of Finance, for their contributions and support to the Advisory Board since its establishment in 2012.

Advisory Board meeting attendanceThe members’ attendance at meetings during the reporting period is listed in Table 2.

Table 2: Meeting attendance

Name of Member Appointment Meeting eligibility Meetings attendedMr Stephen Loosley AM Chair 2 2The Hon Paul Holloway Deputy Chair 2 2Air Marshal Geoffrey Brown AO

Chief of Air Force 2 1*

Mr Malcolm Jackman Chief Executive Officer, Defence SA 2 2

Dr Paul Heithersay PSMDeputy Chief Executive, Resources and Energy, Department of State Development

2 1*

Mr Martin HoffmanDeputy Secretary, Department of Industry, Innovation and Science

1 1

Mr John RyanDeputy Secretary, Department of Industry, Innovation and Science

1 1

Ms Jan MasonDeputy Secretary, Business, Procurement and Asset Management, Department of Finance

2 0*

Mr Peter BaxterDeputy Secretary, Strategy, Department of Defence

2 1*

* A representative attended in place of the ex officio member.


Woomera Prohibited Area overviewThe importance of the WPA to DefenceThe WPA in South Australia, about 450 kilometres north‑north‑west of Adelaide, provides the Department of Defence with a unique capability for the testing and evaluation of war materiel because of its size, remoteness, low population density and quiet electromagnetic environment.

At over 122,000 square kilometres the WPA is about the size of England and is the largest land-based test range in the Western world. It is the only instrumented range capable of testing ‘next‑generation’ weapons systems to the full extent within its land borders. Defence is the primary user of the WPA and the range is now, in parts, in near constant use.

These various factors, combined with other operational security measures, allow Defence to conduct sensitive weapons and other advanced military technology testing—including with Australia’s allies and partners—in a relatively secure physical and electronic environment, with reduced prospects of security risk or compromise.

The strategic, operational and tactical value of the WPA’s unique capabilities to Australia’s future long-range weapons testing programs is significant in national security and Defence planning. This is particularly so as Defence acquires new weapons systems that require large, safe and secure areas for testing and weapons systems research that includes development, simulation and evaluation over long periods of time.

The importance of the WPA for non‑Defence usersThe WPA is predominantly South Australian Crown land that includes pastoral leases, mining leases and exploration tenements. Indigenous groups hold freehold title and have native title interests over parts of the WPA that also contains cultural heritage sites. Tourist, research and environmental groups also have an interest in accessing the area. Key transport infrastructure includes the Stuart Highway and the Adelaide to Darwin railway that bisect the WPA, transporting vital goods, resources and services between South Australia and Northern Territory.

The WPA also overlaps a major part of South Australia’s significant minerals and energy resources potential, covering over 30 per cent of the Gawler Craton, one of the world’s major mineral domains, and the Arckaringa, Officer and Eromanga Basins that contain conventional and unconventional hydrocarbons and coal. Geoscience Australia previously estimated that 62 per cent of Australia’s known copper resources, as well as 78 per cent of the country’s known uranium resources are located within the WPA and immediate surrounds. In addition, the Coober Pedy Proclaimed Precious Stones field covers about 5,000 square kilometres, 48 per cent of which falls within the WPA.

At the time of the Hawke Review in 2010-11, the South Australian Government and Geoscience Australia had assessed that (over the next decade) about $35 billion in mineral resources, including iron ore, gold, copper and uranium prospects, was potentially exploitable from within the WPA.

Return of Maralinga Tjarutja landsOn 5 November 2014 at a ceremony held at the Maralinga Village, the Australian Government formally acknowledged the excision of an area of the Maralinga Tjarutja lands from the WPA. Known as ‘Section 400’ and totalling about 1,800 square kilometres, the area was the site of atomic testing and associated trials conducted by the British in the 1950s and 1960s. The land was rehabilitated between 1993 and 2001 and handed back to the Maralinga Tjarutja in 2009, but the area remained within the WPA boundary and was subject to access restrictions under Defence legislation.

During the consultation program leading to Defence’s new 2014 regulatory framework, Defence acknowledged the particular significance of the Section 400 lands to the Maralinga Tjarutja and how unrestricted access was important to the community. Defence assessed that it could adjust its weapons testing activities to allow the excision of Section 400 from the WPA and return the lands.


The ceremony was attended by Maralinga Tjarutja elders and community representatives together with Australian Government and South Australian Government ministers and officials and members of the Advisory Board.

Maralinga Tjarutja Senior Elder and Chairperson, Mr Keith Peters (at lectern), addresses participants at the Section 400 ceremony, accompanied by the Maralinga Tjarutja Chairman, Mr Sonny Pepper (left), and the Deputy Director of the Woomera Test Range, Wing Commander Jason McHeyzer (centre).


Regulatory FrameworkThe Defence Legislation Amendment (Woomera Prohibited Area) Act 2014 came into force on 9 August 2014 and gave effect to the recommendations made in the Hawke Review. In particular, the Act authorises the Minister for Defence to make, by legislative instrument and with the agreement of the Industry Minister, the Woomera Prohibited Area Rules.

The Woomera Prohibited Area Rule 2014 came into effect on 27 August 2014. It sets the regulatory framework for new non‑Defence users to access the WPA under the co existence scheme and system of permits envisaged by the Hawke Review. This framework balances Defence’s requirement to test war materiel with non‑Defence user access that seeks to exploit the extensive resource potential within the WPA, or to engage in other activities such as tourism. The measures also provide controls on access by non‑Defence users to protect their safety to the fullest extent possible, and to uphold national security.

Existing non‑Defence users with permission to access the WPA under the provisions of Part VII of the Defence Force Regulations 1952 at the time of the Rule coming in to force in August 2014 remain subject to those provisions and not those of the Rule. This is provided by section 72TB of the Defence Act 1903. These existing users include Indigenous groups with interests in the WPA, pastoralists, the operating mines subject to their deeds of access, the owner or operator of the Tarcoola to Darwin railway line, and South Australian Government employees or its agents.

The WPA is declared as a Prohibited Area under the Rule for the testing of war materiel. So that Defence may conduct tests and uphold safety and security, non Defence users and permit holders may be excluded from the WPA access zones following the determination of exclusion periods. The zones are:

Red Zone (continuous Defence use): a total exclusion of new non-Defence users.

Amber Zone (periodic Defence use): Defence may exclude new non-Defence users for 20 periods each of seven days in Amber Zone 1; and 10 periods each of seven days in the Amber Zone 2 every year. Defence must give at least three months notice before the beginning of the financial year in which the exclusion period begins. There is to be a break of at least six weeks between the exclusion periods.

Green Zone (infrequent Defence use): Defence may exclude new non-Defence users up to eight periods of seven days each year having given resource production permit holders a minimum of six months notice and other permit holders 21 days notice.

The regulatory framework system of exclusion periods and mandatory notification periods fulfils the Hawke Review requirement for transparency and certainty about access for the resources sector, which assists in informing business decisions about operating within the WPA. This principle applies equally to other non‑Defence users subject to the provisions of the Rule.


Woomera Prohibited Area—Lake Hart.


Economic potential of the WPASA Government economic/resource potential assessmentAt the start of the financial year 2014-2015 there were three operating mines within the WPA: the Challenger gold mine operated by Kingsgate Consolidated Ltd; the Prominent Hill copper-gold mine operated by OZ Minerals; and the Peculiar Knob iron ore mine operated by Arrium. In June 2015, Arrium suspended the Peculiar Knob mine following a strategic review and rationalisation of its mining businesses due to the falling iron ore price.

These mines employed over 1,500 people and have contributed around $50 million to South Australia in royalties in FY 2014‑2015. Mineral resources expenditure for the period is expected to be more than $20 million based on available data.

Importantly, most of the WPA remains covered by mineral, petroleum and geothermal exploration tenements, with explorers pressing ahead with geophysical surveys and drilling programs. At the end of June 2015, there were 165 active mineral exploration licences within the WPA held by 54 companies, including major global miners BHP Billiton, FMG Resources, Vale, Teck Cominco and Antofagasta Minerals. Fourteen different companies holding 14 tenements under the Petroleum and Geothermal Energy Act 2000 (SA) continued to evaluate the considerable potential of the region to host oil, conventional and unconventional gas reserves and ‘hot rocks’ at depths that could support geothermal power generation.

A benchmark for government exploration/mining initiatives around the world, the Plan for Accelerating Exploration (PACE) Drilling Collaborations program represents the SA Government’s continuing partnership with industry, fostering exploration drilling in under‑explored and frontier areas of the State. The program has long received strong support from the industry and has provided a wealth of new, open-file data and exploration information from all areas of the State.

Results from the previous seven rounds have delivered a number of significant new mineral discoveries for the State as well as extended valuable resource estimates, tested new exploration models and deposit styles and contributed hugely to the geological understanding of South Australia.

The continuation of the program as part of PACE Frontiers was a key recommendation of the 2014 PACE Evaluation. The application process was also modified in response to industry feedback presented in the PACE Evaluation.

The most recent round—PACE Discovery Drilling 2015—was announced on 13 April 2015 and saw 27 projects awarded a share of the $2.0 million allocated to the program. Of these successful projects, 19 will be testing targets on the Gawler Craton and four will be conducting their drilling programs within the WPA.


Facts and FiguresSA Government tenements and licences— Mineral, Petroleum and Geothermal ExplorationDuring the reporting year a number of mineral and petroleum exploration tenements were current in the WPA area as detailed in Table 3 below. No drilling, seismic or other forms of surface exploration occurred in the petroleum and geothermal tenements in the WPA region.

Upon the granting of a mineral exploration licence (EL), the holder of an EL has authority to conduct low impact exploration activities that include geophysical surveys, soil and rock chip sampling, mapping, Indigenous heritage surveys and other non-invasive exploration techniques. When undertaking low impact exploration activities, these must be conducted in accordance with the Generic Program for Environment Protection and Rehabilitation (PEPR) for Low Impact Exploration Activities in SA. Prior to the use of drilling and earthmoving equipment required in the search for and delineation of mineral deposits, explorers are required to submit a PEPR for state government assessment and approval. During the reporting period, 12 PEPRs were approved covering 21 ELs with eight PEPRs remaining active by end of June 2015.

In general, exploration activities conducted within the WPA during the reporting period included airborne surveys, Indigenous heritage surveys, ground sampling and mapping programs, geophysical surveys, reverse circulation and diamond drilling and site rehabilitation works.

Table 3: Tenements and licences

Tenement / Application Current Granted RenewedAnticipated over the next 12 months

ELA—Exploration Licence Application 36 – –20 ELAs may be finalised and granted

EL—Exploration Licence 165 42 75Up to 60 ELs may be renewed

ML—Mineral Lease 6 1 0Anticipated to be similar to previous year

EML—Extractive Minerals Lease 60 0 1Up to 2 EMLs may be renewed

MPL—Miscellaneous Purposes Licence 34 1 0Anticipated to be similar to previous year

MC—Mineral Claim 1 0 –RL—Retention Lease 2 0 0GEL—Geothermal Exploration Licence 3 0 0 1 GEL to be surrenderedGELA—Geothermal Exploration Licence Application

0 – –

Anticipated to be similar to previous year

GSEL—Gas Storage Exploration Licence

1 0 0

GSELA—Gas Storage Exploration Licence Application

21 – –

PEL—Petroleum Exploration Licence 10 0 23 PELs may be renewed over a reduced area

PELA—Petroleum Exploration Licence Application

17 – –1 PELA may be finalised and granted

The mineral exploration licences (ELs) granted in the WPA between 1 July 2014 and 30 June 2015 are shown in the following figure.


Mineral exploration licences (ELs) and ELs granted in the WPA between 1 July 2014 and 30 June 2015.

Mining and exploration complianceIn line with the co‑existence model for the WPA, both the exploration and mining operators work in close communication with Defence in relation to their operations and the scheduling of activities relevant to the Defence weapons testing program and associated exclusion periods.

The Department of State Development (DSD) Mining Regulation officers conduct regular inspections of mine operations within the WPA. Annual compliance reporting is required by DSD from mineral production tenement holders to demonstrate compliance with the Outcomes and Criteria of an approved PEPR for mining operations, including progressive rehabilitation, closure and completion requirements.

Table 4: Mines in the WPA Information about the mines in the WPA is provided in Table 4 at annex A.


Pastoral lease ownership transfersDuring the reporting period four pastoral leases within the WPA were transferred to new owners: Coondambo; Mabel Creek; Mount Eba; and Wintinna.

Pastoralists remain subject to the provisions of Part VII of the Defence Force Regulations 1952.

New deeds or access permits issued by DefenceAt the time of the new regulatory framework coming into effect in August 2014, a number of resources sector non Defence users within the WPA had been granted deeds of access under the transitional arrangements recommended by the Hawke Review.

These deeds included a provision that they would expire six months following the introduction of the legislated system of permits. The transitional arrangements therefore required the deed holders to seek a permit—should they so choose—by February 2015, being six months after the Woomera Prohibited Area Rule 2014 came into effect.

Twenty-five exploration deeds transitioned to resource exploration permits under these arrangements. Existing Mining Deeds of Access were exempt from this provision and were not required to transition to a permit under the Rule.

Information on the numbers and types of deeds of access or permits in place by quarter in the reporting period is at Table 5.

Table 5: Deeds and permitsQuarter ending Deeds of Access Permits

30 September 2014

37 mineral exploration Deeds of Access5 mineral lease Deeds of Access4 extractive mineral Deeds of Access1 petroleum Deed of Access1 infrastructure/other Deed of Access

Nil

31 December 2014

25 resource exploration Deeds of Access5 mineral lease Deeds of Access4 extractive mineral Deeds of Access1 petroleum exploration Deed of Access1 infrastructure/other Deed of Access

14 resource exploration permits(1)

1 extractive mineral permit(2)

31 March 2015 4 mineral lease Deeds of Access35 resource exploration permits(1)

3 other purpose permits(1)

30 June 2015 3 mineral lease Deeds of Access36 resource exploration permits(1)

5 other purpose permits(2)

(1) Permits issued under the Woomera Prohibited Area Rule 2014, including those exploration and petroleum deeds that transitioned to resource exploration permits.

(2) Permits issued under the Woomera Prohibited Area Rule 2014.

Table 6 provides a summary of resource-related deeds executed, permits issued and access requests processed by quarter.


Table 6: Resource deeds, permits and access

Deed or Permit1 Jul 14

to 30 Sep 14

1 Oct 14 to

31 Dec 14

1 Jan 15 to

31 Mar 15

1 Apr 15 to

30 Jun 15Total

Deed of Access (Resource Production) 0 0 0 0 0Deeds of Access (Resource Exploration) 3 0 0 0 3Deeds of Amendment issued 0 0 0 0 0Resource Production Permits issued 0 0 0 0 0Resource Exploration Permits issued 0 14 20 2 36Resource Exploration Permits amended 0 0 4 4 8Other Purpose Permit issued 0 1 2 2 5Non‑compliance 0 0 0 0 0Exploration Access Requests processed 23 9 12 18 62Total number of personnel processed on Access Requests

232 183 347 117 879

Access Requests refused 0 0 0 0 0

Table 7 provides a summary of resource personnel applications and approvals.

Table 7: Resource personnel

Resource personnel1 Jul 14

to 30 Sep 14

1 Oct 14 to

31 Dec 14

1 Jan 15 to

31 Mar 15

1 Apr 15 to

30 Jun 15Total

Approved Person applications lodged 370 287 139 81 877Total number of Approved Person currently approved

2785 3081 2585 2064 –

Approved Person refused 0 0 0 0 0Escorted Person applications lodged 8 32 2 10 52Escorted Person refused 0 0 0 0 0

Table 8 provides a summary of opal permits issued.

Table 8: Opal permits

Permits1 Jul 14

to 30 Sep 14

1 Oct 14 to

31 Dec 14

1 Jan 15 to

31 Mar 15

1 Apr 15 to

30 Jun 15Total

Opal Permits issued 14 22 10 23 69Opal Permits refused 0 0 0 0 0

Table 9 provides a summary of tourist permits issued, including the total number of people authorised.

Table 9: Tourist permits

Permits1 Jul 14

to 30 Sep 14

1 Oct 14 to

31 Dec 14

1 Jan 15 to

31 Mar 15

1 Apr 15 to

30 Jun 15Total

Number of Tourist Permits issued 157 6 99 226 488Number of tourists authorised on Tourist Permits

299 10 198 434 941

Tourist Permits refused 0 0 0 0 0


Opal MiningThe Coober Pedy Proclaimed Precious Stones field covers about 5,000 square kilometres, 48 per cent of which falls within the WPA. Prospecting for opal and opal mining tend to be ephemeral activities with a constant turnover of registered tenements. Exceptions to this occur when opal is found, and then tenements tend to be renewed for longer periods.

During the reporting period negotiations were completed between the Antakirinja Matu‑Yankunytjatjara Aboriginal Corporation, the Coober Pedy Opal Miners Association (Stakeholders) and the South Australian Department of State Development, which culminated in the signing of an Indigenous Land Use Agreement (ILUA). This agreement was signed by the traditional owners and the State in early 2015 and has since been registered with the National Native Title Tribunal.

The ILUA covers the entire Coober Pedy proclaimed precious stones field and allows opal miners who have signed the deed of acceptance to prospect and mine for opal within the agreement area (Area A). More information about the SI2015/003 Coober Pedy Precious Stones Field ILUA, including mapping, can be found at: www.nntt.gov.au/SearchRegApps/NativeTitleRegisters/Pages/ILUA_details.aspx?NNTT_Fileno=SI2015/003

There are currently 46 registered precious stones tenements within the WPA. In the reporting period Opal Fields staff conducted 206 inspections in the area. It is estimated from the Opal Production report (six months to June 2015) that these tenements may produce $710,000 worth of Opal.

Opal Valley activity – courtesy of the South Australian Department of State Development.

http://www.nntt.gov.au/SearchRegApps/NativeTitleRegisters/Pages/ILUA_details.aspx?NNTT_Fileno=SI2015/003


Defence use of the WPA During the reporting period the overall Defence testing activity was slightly down compared to the previous reporting period. Fewer testing activities were planned and a higher proportion of planned activities were cancelled. Contributing factors included changed reporting periods, reduced operational tempo as a consequence of the Australian Defence Force’s withdrawal from Afghanistan and the availability of equipment for trial. Additionally, much of Defence’s testing activity was undertaken in the Red (Defence continuous use) Zone with limited effect on non Defence users.

Trials conducted during the reporting period included air‑to‑surface weapons, remotely piloted aircraft, electronic warfare self‑protection, surface‑to‑air missiles, parachute delivery and explosive ordnance disposal.

Similar trials are planned for Financial Year 2015‑16, with an increase in the testing of long‑range air‑to‑surface weapons and rocket launches. A further increase in the number of trials within the WPA is expected in future years, and the complexity and scope of these trials is also expected to increase following the introduction of new military capabilities and weapons systems.

The Defence infrastructure and equipment projects to replace test range systems, which include radars and optical systems, is well advanced and work on upgrading the runway surfaces of the RAAF Base Woomera airfield was completed in December 2014. These projects reflect the priority Defence is placing on the weapons testing capabilities and facilities provided by the Woomera Test Range within the WPA. Further infrastructure upgrades are planned in coming years.

Woomera Test Range usageFifty‑three test range tasks were scheduled over the reporting period. Of these, 31 were completed and 22 were cancelled. Over 1,000 staff from Defence and authorised agencies participated in the trial activities, with 74 official visits being conducted involving 480 people.

Exclusion Periods exercised over the reporting period The WPA is declared as a Prohibited Area for the testing of war materiel. So that Defence may conduct tests and uphold safety and security, non‑Defence users and permit holders may be excluded from the WPA access zones following the determination of exclusion periods and receiving the prescribed period of notice.

Table 10 illustrates the notified exclusion periods by WPA access zone during the reporting period, and includes their final status.

Table 10: Exclusion periods FY 2014–15

Access Zone Exclusion Period Status

Amber 1 21 July to 24 August 2014Period amended to: 21 July to 19 August 2014

Amber 1 10 November to 7 December 2014 Exclusion exercisedAmber 2 17 November to 30 November 2014 Exclusion exercisedGreen 17 November to 30 November 2014 Exclusion exercisedAmber 1 16 February to 22 March 2015 RevokedAmber 2 2 March to 15 March 2015 Revoked

Amber 1 18 May to 28 June 2015Period amended to: 18 May to 7 June 2015

Amber 2 18 May to 28 June 2015 Revoked


Wherever possible, Defence will maintain exclusion periods in the WPA Amber and Green zones only for as long as is required to conduct the weapons test and ensure safety and security. This means that exclusion periods may be revoked where tests do not proceed as originally planned, or that the exclusion period durations may be reduced once the test is completed. Additionally, much of Defence’s testing activity is undertaken in the Red (Defence continuous use) Zone with limited effect on non Defence users. Non-Defence users are advised at the earliest opportunity should an exclusion period be revoked or its duration reduced.

Tourist permits are not issued during planned Amber Zone 2 exclusion periods. Tourists requesting permits for these periods are generally advised to plan their access outside of the promulgated exclusion periods or consider travelling on alternative routes.

Exclusion Periods planned for Financial Year 2015–16The exclusion periods for Amber Zone 1 and Amber Zone 2 in Financial Year 2015‑16 were determined on 24 March 2015 by a legislative instrument required under the Woomera Prohibited Area Rule 2014. The Rule also requires that notice must be given at least three months before the beginning of the financial year in which the exclusion period begins.

The Exclusion Period Instrument is published on the Federal Register of Legislation, with supporting information on the WPA Coordination Office website. Defence also wrote to all stakeholders regarding the exclusion periods so they could plan accordingly.

Table 11 shows the planned Financial Year 2015‑16 exclusion periods.

Table 11: Planned exclusion periods FY 2015-16

Access Zone Exclusion Period StatusAmber 1 20 July to 2 August 2015 PlannedAmber 2 20 July to 2 August 2015 PlannedAmber 1 14 September to 20 September 2015 PlannedAmber 1 2 November to 6 December 2015 PlannedAmber 2 2 November to 29 November 2015 PlannedAmber 1 8 February to 27 March 2016 PlannedAmber 2 29 February to 13 March 2016 PlannedAmber 1 9 May to 12 June 2016 PlannedAmber 2 16 May to 29 May 2016 Planned

Long‑range weapons trials and rocket launches planned for Financial Year 2015‑16 are also expected to require exclusion periods for the Green Zone, which will be determined and notified in accordance with the Rule provisions. Defence plans to restrict the actual exclusion zone to the minimum required safety area, which will be refined as trial planning progresses.


Non-Defence users’ views on co-existenceIn accordance with its Terms of Reference, the Advisory Board invited non‑Defence users of the WPA to provide their views on access to, and operating in the WPA during the reporting period.

Three responses were received, including from an exploration company, a pastoralist and a South Australian Government agency. Overall the comments were positive and related to the relationships that have been built between non-Defence users and Defence and the staff at the Woomera Test Range. Issues raised mainly related to administrative matters, including access arrangements and processing timeframes allowed under the Rule. The latter comments will be considered in forthcoming reviews of the regulatory framework and during routine administrative process and policy improvements.

The Advisory Board noted the submissions received and thanked those who contributed.

A Heron Remotely Piloted Aircraft and a PC-9 on display for the stakeholder open day at Woomera on 9 December 2014.


Anne

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DPS-JUL036-16

Documents

Woomera Prohibited Area Advisory Board...W Annual Report 3Chair’s Report On behalf of the Woomera Prohibited Area (WPA) Advisory Board I present the Annual Report for the period