Kim Carr (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Defence Materiel) Share this | Hansard source

The Minister for Defence has provided the following answer to the honourable senator's question:

(1)   The Defence outer marker beacon located on Turkey Hill is integral to the Instrument Landing System used by aircraft landing at the Army Aviation Centre, Swartz Barracks, Oakey. Defence is in discussions with New Acland Coal Pty Ltd regarding its requirement to access the site at Turkey Hill, however, an agreement has not been reached at this time. If the beacon is to be relocated in support of the Stage 3 expansion, the costs associated would be borne by New Acland Coal Pty Ltd.

(2)   Army helicopters currently avoid the mine site to avoid the:

  (a)   risk of dust damage to engines;

  (b)   impact of white light on night vision flying; and

  (c)   risk associated with blasting operations to low flying aircraft.

(3)   The development of the stage 3 expansion of the New Acland Coal Mine will require Defence to realign its flight paths to avoid the mine site. Other than this, Defence does not see any other implications for national defence operations in the area.