2010 Australian offshore release: W10-26: Defence live weapons and missile firings mix with oil and gas in offshore Western Australia

First 9 of 9 paragraphs shown Area W10-26 overlaps MEAs R119 D and F. These areas are used by the RAAF and the RAN for all military operations including live weapons and missile firings.
- Applicants are advised that ADF exercise schedules are variable and may change at short notice.
- When activated by a NOTAM, the restricted airspace can operate down to sea level. Successful applicants will need to liaise with the Department of Defence during the planning phase of operations, and to provide information on the proposed location of any drilling rigs for inclusion in the register of structures database that is maintained by the RAAF AIS.
Successful applicants will need to liaise closely with the RAAF and RAN on timing and location of any proposed exploration activities or permanent structures early in the planning phase.
Mine risk: Successful applicants should also note that, as the areas are used for live firings, UXO may exist on the sea floor. This carries with it an associated risk of detonation, which will be borne by the applicants.
Whale fields: Given that two endangered whale species, the Blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus) and the Southern right whale (Eubalaena australis) utilise this area at different times, successful applicants should be aware that exploration activities in these areas are likely to be subject to a high level of environmental scrutiny, and may require assessment and approval under the EPBC Act and additional management measures are likely to be required.
Sea lions: These two areas also overlap with a high use foraging area for Australian sea lion (Neophoca cinerea), which is listed as vulnerable under the EPBC Act overlap with the known distribution of the White shark (Carcharodon carcharias) which is listed as vulnerable and migratory under the EPBC Act and several seabird species listed under the EPBC Act including the vulnerable Black browed albatross (Thalassarche melanophris), Soft-plumaged petrel (Pterodroma mollis) and Yellow-nosed albatross (Thalassarche carteri), and the migratory Caspian tern (Sterna caspia) and Short tailed shearwater (Ardenna tenuirostris).

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