PERTH (miningweekly.com) – The Australian government will conduct a review of the Woomera Prohibition Area (WPA) coexistence framework.
The 2018 review is a recommendation of the 2010 review of the WPA, which led to the establishment of a coexistence framework that balances the interests of all users in the area.
The framework designates defence as the primary user of the WPA for the testing of war materiel and ensures access to the WPA for a range of non-defence users, including the resources sector.
"The review will ensure the framework is contemporary and appropriately supports defence’s operational requirements, and the needs of non-defence users, consistent with Australia’s national security requirements,” Defence Minister Marise Payne said.
“Consultations will examine the way access should be managed and how the current framework is working; where it might be improved; and in what ways the stakeholder environment within the WPA has changed since 2014 when the current coexistence framework was established.”
Resources and Northern Territory Minister Matt Canavan said the review would include consultation with stakeholder groups with interests in the WPA, and close engagement with other commonwealth agencies and the South Australia government.
“The WPA is an important strategic asset for the security of Australia and South Australia. It is also a prospective area for the resources sector with successful mining occurring. Likewise the WPA is home to Aboriginal communities and pastoralists, and is a place that is gaining more interest from tourists,” Canavan said.
“Our focus will be to balance the needs of all the groups who use this valuable national asset.”
The federal Parliament in 2014 passed laws that allowed resource companies access to the WPA, unlocking some A$35-billion worth of new resource discoveries and developments in the region.
The Geoscience Australia has previously estimated that 62% of Australia’s known copper resources are believed to be located in the area, as well as 78% of the nation’s known uranium resources.
The Department of Defence and the Department of Industry, Innovation and Science will support the review, which is scheduled for completion by the end of this year.