Bob Baldwin (Paterson, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Tourism) Share this | Hansard source

asked the Minister for Defence, in writing, on 23 May 2011:

(1) Was the 2002 Parsons Brinckerhoff Study into the Salt Ash Weapons Range released to (a) the public, (b) Port Stephens Council, (c) the National Library of Australia, and (d) the Auditor General;

If so, when; if not, why not.

(2) What data and/or reports does he use to qualify that the continued use of Salt Ash Weapons Range is safe for the surrounding community.

(3) When approving the use of the Salt Ash Weapons Range, did he take into consideration the NSW Pollution Control Commission's statement that the F/A-18 Hornet's use of the Salt Ash Weapons Range does not meet its environmental criteria; if not, why not; if so, why was approval still given.

(4) Why was the site between Tea Gardens and Nerong not seen as a viable alternative to the current target and danger area at the Salt Ash Weapons Range, and was the cost of transporting Defence personnel to this alternative site a factor in the decision not to use it.

(5) Has he considered the risk to Defence personnel and civilians, of a single engine aircraft such as the Joint Strike Fighter, if shrapnel was to enter its only engine during strafing exercises at the Salt Ash Weapons Range.

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