j MEDIA RELEASE BY HON. LES JOHNSON,  MHR FOR HUGHES,  OPPOSITION WHIP > '

7 2 BOYLE STREET, SUTHERLAND. 2232 Phone: 521.6262 13.6.1979

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HOLSWORTHY MILITARY AREA TO STAY: 'Â£> 3

The Federal Government will not countenance the cost to the

Nation of re-establishing elsewhere the Military Facilities at

Holsworthy according to Ministerial advice received by Mr.

Les Johnson, MHR for Hughes.

At the request of and on behalf of constituents,  Mr. Johnson

proposed that the Government carry out a Parliamentary investigation ) :

into the continued use of Holsworthy as a Military establishment

which would invite submissions from the Department of Defence

Local State and Government Authorities, Community Groups and

Organisations as well as individuals. .

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It was proposed that the enquiry deal interalia with the increased

incidence of complaints emanating from the public about the effect

of artilliary exercises conducted on the Reserve, the possible

contribution of military activities to the incidence of bushfires

which periodically threaten residential areas and the neighbouring

Lucas Heights Atomic Research Establishment,  the traffic problems

in the "region,  the relationship, of the Army Reserve with the .

neighbouring Urban population and the possible advantages which '

.  could accrue to the Army as a result of relocation to a more ,

suitable area. ,  ,  ,

In previous advice (May 1978) the Minister had disclosed that <

an investigation had commenced into the possible acquisition .

of land in N.S.W. for a major training area which would decrease

the use of Holsworthy by the Department of Defence as a field

firing training base.

The advantages of re-location were stated as being -1) The provision of modern,  purpose-built accommodation for those units not currently occupying such accom-. ,   modation. ,

2) The possibility of a planned functional layout for  a military complex.

3) The provision for extension/expansion as required.

4) ,The less likelihood of restriction of use of range facilities because of noise arid safety '

The disadvantage was the total cost to the Commonwealth.

It has been estimated that the replacement costs alone and

costs of removal of personnel, excluding land cost, would be

$330 million.

The Defence Department claims that the total cost of rendering

the 20,600 hectares safe from the hazards of unexploded ammunition

for use either for urban development or public recreation ranges

from between $90 million and $324 million depending on the type of

clearance operation mounted.

M r . Johnson has now been advised that,  as the Army has developed '

Holsworthy at considerable expense as a Task Force Base, and as

it contains substantial permanent assets, the Government would not

consider establishing an inquiry or relocating the Military Facilities.

On" theÂ· specific issues brought forward by resident constituents,

Mr. Johnson said that the Minister had assured him that the Army re-

cdgnised that its activities do cause fires from time to time but that

these were localised and brought quickly under control by exercise

staff who provide for such contingencies in exercise planning.

The Minister also advised that the Army was attempting to minimise

inconvenience to the Public caused by noise and had conducted tests

the results of which were not yet available. .

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