Defence force activities in marine protected areas: environmental management of Shoalwater Bay Training Area, Queensland, Australia |
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Authors: | Wen Wu Xiaohua Wang David Paull Julie Kesby |
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Institution: | 1. School of Physical, Environmental and Mathematical Sciences, University of New South Wales at Australian Defence Force Academy, Canberra, ACT, 2600, Australia 2. College of Physical and Environmental Oceanography, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266100, China
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Abstract: | Environmental management of military activities is of growing global concern by defence forces. As one of the largest landholders
in Australia, the Australian Defence Force (ADF) is increasingly concerned with sustainable environmental management. This
paper focuses on how the ADF is maintaining effective environmental management, especially in environmentally sensitive marine
protected areas. It uses Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA) as a research example to examine environmental management strategies
conducted by the ADF. SWBTA is one of the most significant Defence training areas in Australia, with a large number of single,
joint and combined military exercises conducted in the area. With its maritime component contained in the Great Barrier Reef
Marine Park (GBRMP), the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area (GBRWHA), and abutting Queensland’s State Marine Parks, it
has high protection values. It is therefore vital for the ADF to adopt environmentally responsible management while they are
conducting military activities. As to various tools employed to manage environmental performance, the ISO 14001 Environmental
Management System (EMS) is widely used by the ADF. This paper examines military activities and marine environmental management
within SWBTA, using the Talisman Saber (TS) exercise series as an example. These are extensive joint exercises conducted by
the ADF and the United States defence forces. The paper outlines relevant legislative framework and environmental policies,
analyses how the EMS operates in environmental management of military activities, and how military activities comply with
these regulations. It discusses the implementation of the ADF EMS, including risk reduction measures, environmental awareness
training, consultation and communication with stakeholders. A number of environmental management actions used in the TS exercises
are presented to demonstrate the EMS application. Our investigations to this point indicate that the ADF is complying with
all relevant legislation and policies. Further research is required to confirm compliance and conclude that military activities
have good accord with environmental management objectives. |
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