Friends of the Earth Brisbane

member Queensland Nuclear Free Alliance
PO Box 5702
West End QLD 4101

www.brisbane.foe.org.au


For immediate release - July 28, 2006

Community rallies against Shoalwater inquiry

The Federal Parliament Public Works Committee will be conducting a 1hour 50minute public hearing into a proposed development at the Shoalwater Military Training Facility in Rockhampton this afternoon. The development, which includes an urban warfare training zone and live firing range, is part of the Federal Government’s commitment to increase “inter-operability” with the US military and to turn Shoalwater into a Combined Joint Training Facility.

Friends of the Earth Brisbane representative, Treena Lenthall, and Shoalwater Wilderness Awareness Group (SWAG) spokesperson, Peter Murray, will be testifying at the hearing; a peace vigil will be held outside.

Friends of the Earth is greatly concerned that the Inquiry has been undemocratic and narrowly focused.   One of the major flaws is the attempt by the Australian Defence Force to portray the development of military facilities as isolated from their purpose.

“The Defence Force claims that the development will have no environmental impact, totally dismissing the fact that the infrastructure is being put in place to support US and Australian live-firing practice, raids, on-shore landings, and  bombing,” states Ms. Lenthall.

"The facility is being specifically time-lined to be ready for next year’s US- Australia joint training exercise “Operation Talisman Sabre 2007”, which will see up to 30,000 US troops exercising in the area.”

The development further raises concerns about what types of weaponry and equipment the facility will house and use.  The Inquiry so far has not allayed community concerns about the potential use of  Depleted Uranium (DU)  in the region. 

Spokesperson for the Shoalwater Wilderness Awareness Group, Peter Murray, says, “The ADF told the inquiry that Depleted Uranium  (DU) has not been used in Australia.  I have documented evidence from Hansard that shows otherwise. It is even highly likely that DU has been used in the Shoalwater Bay military area in the past.”

Friends of the Earth spokesperson Ms. Lenthall adds, “ This development is supposedly in the national interest.   However, the Inquiry  not only failed to consult with the broader Australian community who will in the long-term be affected by increased US military operations in the region, but it didn’t even bother to consult with local indigenous, environmental, and women’s health groups, representing those  who will be the first to be immediately impacted.

For more information:
Friends of the Earth Brisbane, Treena Lenthall 0432 563 967Shoalwater Wilderness Awareness Group (Yeppoon), Peter Murray, 0438 808 013Citizens Against Depleted Uranium Use (Byfield-Yeppoon), Steve Bishopric, (07) 4935 1161 12.