D74/7

MILDURA BALLOON STATION TO CONTINUE OPERATIONS

(Joint statement by the Minister for Supply, Mr Kep. Enderby, and the Minister for Science, Mr Bill Morrison)

The balloon-launching station at Mildura, Victoria, which is used

for upper-atmosphere research, is to remain in operation for at least

another year.

The Minister for Supply, Mr Kep. Enderby, and the Minister for

Science, Mr Bill Morrison, said this in a joint statement today (April 30).

The facility is operated by the Department of Supply under an

agreement with the United States Atomic Energy Commission, which

terminates on 9 May.

When it became apparent early this year that the station might be

forced to close on that date, Mr Morrison arranged for a survey to be

made of Australian universities and the CSIRO to see what civil

requirements they might have for the station.  The facility, and its

attendant capabilities and expertise, are of significant advantage to

Australia, especially as it is one of only two such stations in the Southern

Hemisphere, the other being in Argentina.

The survey showed five balloon flights had been firmly programmed,

and about 35 more were possible in the period July 1974 - December 1975.

Mr Morrison said it was not yet certain that the facility would be

fully used by Australian and overseas scientists.

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However, it was felt there had been sufficient expression of

interest from the Australian scientific community in using the

station to suggest it should be maintained for at least an interim

period, during which its future could be further assessed.

Under these circumstances Mr Enderby had agreed to continue

responsibility for operating the station.

CANBERRA, 30 April 1974

For further information please ring 832400 (office)

482306 (office) 496090 (home) 545874 (home) 864160 (home)

