THE HON. DR MIKE KELLY AM MP
Parliamentary Secretary for Defence Support
Thursday, 08 April 2009
017/2009
STATE OF ENVIRONMENT REPORT FOR SHOALWATER BAY
TRAINING AREA 2008
The Parliamentary Secretary for Defence Support, the Hon. Dr Mike Kelly AM
MP and the Member for Capricornia, Ms Kirsten Livermore MP, today
announced the release of the State of the Environment Report for Shoalwater
Bay Training Area 2008, a Defence report which highlights the commendable
environmental condition of the training area.
“The Shoalwater Bay Training area (SWBTA) in central Queensland is an
important asset for Defence, effectively integrating blue water naval forces
with comparable air and land assets in military training,” Dr Kelly said.
“The State of the Environment Report is the result of years of research and
monitoring and provides a single reference document about the environmental
attributes of SWBTA. The Report identifies the area’s natural and cultural
values and states that they are well managed and in good condition,” Ms
Livermore said.
“Defence takes its responsibilities to the environment very seriously and
strives to minimise the environmental impacts of day to day activities and
operations,” Dr Kelly said.
SWBTA is the largest coastal area with high wilderness values on the east
coast of Australia, and is regionally and nationally significant. SWBTA is
increasingly being used as a scientific reference area by private and public
research bodies.
Modelled on the United Nations State of the Environment Report format, the
Report aims to inform environmental regulators, scientists, the wider
Australian community and Defence users of the condition of the area.
The State of the Environment Report for Shoalwater Bay Training Area
accessible through most National, State and University libraries across
Australia by the end of April 2009.
Media contacts:
Mark Sjolander (Dr Mike Kelly):
02 6277 4840 or 0407 102 220
Defence Media Liaison:
02 6265 3343 or 0408 498 664
NEWS 
