RAAF urged to stop live bombing in marine park
David Bromage
[Posted without comment]
RAAF Urged to Stop Live Bombing in Marine Park
For release
12 January 1999 4.30pm
The Royal Australian Air Force has been asked to stop live bombing of an
area of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park where fringing coral reefs have
been destroyed.
The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority has called for an end to the
use of high explosives at Rattlesnake Island and Cordelia Rock, in Halifax
Bay just north of Townsville.
Dr Ian McPhail, chair of the GBRMPA, said today that it was inappropriate
for high explosive bombs to be dropped on islands in a World Heritage
Area.
"They are doing damage around Rattlesnake and Cordelia and we have told
them we want them to stop using the area for target practice with high
explosives," Dr McPhail said.
Dr McPhail conceded that the RAAF had been using the area for bombing
practice for about 50 years but pointed out that most other uses of high
explosives - including depth charges - had been scrapped a long time ago.
"We have discussed the issue with the Department of Defence in Canberra
and they are examining the implications of phasing out live bombing," Dr
McPhail said.
"We recognise the importance of the training area to the RAAF and we have
no objection to the use of practice bombs, flares or electronic devices
which cause little or no damage, but high explosives are not compatible
with the values we are trying to uphold."
Jim Bartok
> [Posted without comment]
>
> RAAF Urged to Stop Live Bombing in Marine Park
>
> For release
> 12 January 1999 4.30pm
>
> The Royal Australian Air Force has been asked to stop live bombing of an
> area of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park where fringing coral reefs have
> been destroyed.
>
......snip......snip......snip......
RAAF to continue bombing
Great Barrier Reef
Wednesday 13 January, 1999 (5:07pm AEDT)
The RAAF says it will not stop "live bombing" on the Great
Barrier Reef.
The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority has called for
an
end to heavy explosive training at Halifax Bay, north of
Townsville.
Live bombing has been conducted there for about 50 years.
Group Captain Greg Weekes says the RAAF has received no
evidence of any damage to the reef.
"We're very sympathetic to the concerns of the marine park
and
the other lobby groups but to cease operations now would
have a
major impact on our training," Captain Weekes said.
"Until we're able to better evaluate our training
requirements and
look at other alternatives unfortunately we'll have to
continue
with our present operations."
James
than their bombing. They have 'High range' near Townsville, already
destroyed by heavy artillery, let them bomb that. Given the damage
professional fisherc*&^s are doing to the reef we can do without the
RAAF bombing it or flying into nearby islands.
How do I know this stuff. Ex Townsville grunt, ex Townsville dive
instructor. If they want to see the damage to the fringing reef I'll
happily show it to em.
Graeme Hogan
Jim Bartok wrote in message <369B98E6...@acay.com.au>...
>David Bromage wrote:
>
>> [Posted without comment]
>>
>> RAAF Urged to Stop Live Bombing in Marine Park
>>
>> For release
>> 12 January 1999 4.30pm
>>
>> area of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park where fringing coral reefs
have
>> been destroyed.
>>
>
They can afford to destroy the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, but they
can't afford to do a decent dump and burn at Avalon on the Saturday and
Sunday.
cow...@ram.net.au
James <ake...@pcug.org.au> wrote:
> Typical bloody military response. The marine park is more important
> than their bombing. They have 'High range' near Townsville, already
> destroyed by heavy artillery, let them bomb that. Given the damage
> professional fisherc*&^s are doing to the reef we can do without the
> RAAF bombing it or flying into nearby islands.
>
to bomb the fishermen. Then again we may need them to rescue the odd trainee
forgotten by their dive instructor.
cowboy
-----------== Posted via Deja News, The Discussion Network ==----------
http://www.dejanews.com/ Search, Read, Discuss, or Start Your Own
David Bromage
> In article <369C60...@pcug.org.au>,
> James <ake...@pcug.org.au> wrote:
> > Typical bloody military response. The marine park is more important
> > than their bombing. They have 'High range' near Townsville, already
> > destroyed by heavy artillery, let them bomb that. Given the damage
> > professional fisherc*&^s are doing to the reef we can do without the
> > RAAF bombing it or flying into nearby islands.
> >
> > Typical civilian response in peace time, perhaps a win win situation would be
> to bomb the fishermen.
Now there's an idea! The RAN could also get in on the act. Perhaps
transfer the HMAS Cessnock to Townsville?
Cheers
David
Terry Anderson
James wrote in message <369C60...@pcug.org.au>...
>Typical bloody military response. The marine park is more important
>than their bombing. They have 'High range' near Townsville, already
>destroyed by heavy artillery, let them bomb that. Given the damage
>professional fisherc*&^s are doing to the reef we can do without the
>RAAF bombing it or flying into nearby islands.
The argument for or against bombing Cordelia Rock will no doubt
create much angst on either side. I take exception to the comment
about 'flying into nearby islands'. The Palm Island and Townsend Island
FA18 crashes were tragic and never 'intended' or 'planned' as part
of military training. Have some respect and drop the attitude James.
It does not lend to your argument for bombing.
Tezza
my opinion
jacko
<gho...@netspace.net.au> wrote:
>
>They can afford to destroy the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, but they
>can't afford to do a decent dump and burn at Avalon on the Saturday and
>Sunday.
>
jacko
mar...@spamfree.thuringowa.qld.gov.au
>>> area of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park where fringing coral reefs
>have been destroyed.
During the last bombing practice at Rattlesnake I. the shock waves reaching
the shore at nearby Bushland Beach (where I live) was sufficient to produce
cracks in masonry buildings and dislodge items from shelves. The excuse given
was that the problem was made worse by the inversion layer present at the time.
Can't think what difference that made - the shock waves which came through the
ground were the strongest - can't be doing the inner reef much good.
When the Federal Member showed up to investigate they started dropping little
ones instead. Local residents are considering action for property damage.
James
But i have dived rattlesnake. Done survival training there whilst in
the army as well. I think I probably have as good an uderstanding of
the complexities of peacetime training for a wartime situation as
cowboy. I still do NOT believe it is necessary to f^%k up a maritime
environement (or any other) to achieve training goals.
As for dive operators leaving people behind. Are you an aviator
cowboy? Or a gunner. Let those in glass houses!
Graeme Hogan
Ray Belbin
<77k6q3$11o...@thuringowa.qld.gov.au>...
Sounds like you got it bad there. I also remember reports that people as far
North as Ingham on those days heard the bombing too.
If memory serves correct, the F18s were dropping 500lb and 1000lb bombs.
Wasn't the F-111s that dropped some much bigger ones?
On the Townsville VTC, Ratllesnake Island is only about 8nms from Bushland
Beach, and 15 or so nms North East of Townsville City.
Ray Belbin
>Beach, and 15 or so nms North East of Townsville City.
Whoops! Rattlesnake is North WEST (320 radial) of Townsville City.
Ian
lived at Bushland Beach i would say. this is the buy a house near an airport
then complain about the noise syndrome.
HERD J D
: > Typical civilian response in peace time, perhaps a win win situation would be
: to bomb the fishermen. Then again we may need them to rescue the odd trainee
: forgotten by their dive instructor.
: cowboy
Aah, Cowboy. You cut straight to the chase, don't you.
--
Cheers,
/----------------------------------\
| Jon Herd | |~~\__/~~~\__ |
| Graduate School of Business |___________\___ ===== )-+
| University of Newcastle | ~~~| /~\~ |
| New South Wales, AUSTRALIA | o o
| mg...@u2.newcastle.edu.au |
\----------------------------------/
http://u2.newcastle.edu.au/~mgjdh
Evan Burton [SP1] 328105
deterrent. You've heard GBRMPA want to equip the prawn trawlers with GPS / Sat
tracking beacons. If DSTO were to fit a radio-initiated exposive on board,
Coastwatch could be given the "trigger". If they catch a trawler trawling in a
pink or green zone..... BOOM! No trial, you're knicked, my lad.
cow...@ram.net.au wrote:
> In article <369C60...@pcug.org.au>,
> James <ake...@pcug.org.au> wrote:
> > Typical bloody military response. The marine park is more important
> > than their bombing. They have 'High range' near Townsville, already
> > destroyed by heavy artillery, let them bomb that. Given the damage
> > professional fisherc*&^s are doing to the reef we can do without the
> > RAAF bombing it or flying into nearby islands.
> >
> > Typical civilian response in peace time, perhaps a win win situation would be
> to bomb the fishermen. Then again we may need them to rescue the odd trainee
> forgotten by their dive instructor.
> cowboy
>
> -----------== Posted via Deja News, The Discussion Network ==----------
> http://www.dejanews.com/ Search, Read, Discuss, or Start Your Own
--
Evan Burton
ev...@cairns.net.au
http://www.geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/7881
Terry Anderson
Well I'm sure there is a saying about that.
Maybe the town planner also has something to answer to,
Bushland Beach was developed in the eighties wasn't it?
mar...@spamfree.thuringowa.qld.gov.au wrote in message
<77k6q3$11o...@thuringowa.qld.gov.au>...
>>>> The Royal Australian Air Force has been asked to stop live bombing of
an
>>>> area of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park where fringing coral reefs
>>have been destroyed.
>
BB
Evan Burton [SP1] 328105 wrote in message
<369F1871...@cairns.net.au>...
>Perhaps we can employ some of the DSTO boffins in on the act and develop a
>deterrent. You've heard GBRMPA want to equip the prawn trawlers with GPS /
Sat
>tracking beacons. If DSTO were to fit a radio-initiated exposive on board,
>Coastwatch could be given the "trigger". If they catch a trawler trawling
in a
>pink or green zone..... BOOM! No trial, you're knicked, my lad.
>
Could you convert you acronyms to English please.
? DSTO, GBRMPA, GPS/SAT, BOOM.
TIA.
Bryan.
[snip]-
Troy Smith
BB wrote:
DSTO - Defence Science and Technology Office (I think)
GBRMPA - Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority
GPS/Sat - Global Positioning System/Satellite
BOOM - as in KABOOM
Cheers
Troy
mar...@spamfree.thuringowa.qld.gov.au
"Terry Anderson" <te...@onaustralia.com.au> wrote:
>Sorry but I can't help myself. You said you live on a beach?
No - that would be unwise. 200m back. (Erosion prone area 50 - 80m)
>Well I'm sure there is a saying about that.
>Maybe the town planner also has something to answer to,
As it happens I am a town planner myself and I work for the above.
>Bushland Beach was developed in the eighties wasn't it?
Zoned 70s developed 80s. Northern end of a designated growth area for
the Townsville/Thuringowa subregion.
The bombing hasn't been a source of much nuisance before (I've lived there
10 years), so whatever they were doing was very different. Usually a warning is
published, i.e. a sign on the local store saying times and "don't look with
binoculars"(laser guided weapons). No sign posted on this occasion.
I take the point (by others) about prior activity (RAAF and others have been
bombing these rocks for at least 50 years). Does that mean its OK to escalate
the activity?