JggL PRESS STATEMENT 37/79 by the Minister for National Development

MONTE BELLO ISLANDS

The Minister for National Development, the Hon.

Kevin Newman, and the. Western Australian Minister for  Health, the Hon. R.L. Young, announced today that officers

from relevant Commonwealth and State Departments and  the Australian Atomic Energy Commission would visit the  Monte Bello Islands off north western Australia next

week. .

Ã¢ÂÂ¢  The purpose of the visit will be to inspect,  and where necessary replace or refurbish, warning signs  where British atomic weapons testing experiments had been  carried out in the early 1950’s. This work will be

undertaken by Army field engineers of 22 Construction  Squadron from Perth on behalf of the Department of National  Development. '

Mr Newman and Mr Young referred to a visit to  the Monte Bello Islands in October last year by Commonwealth  and State officials. On the basis of this visit it had

been decided that while there were no specific dangers  in the area,multi-language signs should be in place to  warn visitors that radiation levels,.  particularly in. .

the immediate vicinity of the atomic explosions, may be

above those considered safe for permanent occupation. The  Ministers pointed out that measured radiation levels were

very low and constituted no threat to casual visitors.  Warning signs were necessary only to inform visitors that

protracted stays were not recommended. Visits to the  Islands are prohibited without the permission of the

Naval Officer in Charge,  Western Australia.

The party will leave Dampier on the Navy landing

craft "Tarakan" on 8 May and expects to complete all

necessary work in 10-14 days. _

Canberra  3 May 1979

