❓ Question seeks details on land acquisition, environmental modelling, and dredging related to the Defence Precinct under the Cooperation Agreement between WA and the Commonwealth. The answer states that details are unavailable pending funding negotiations and confirmation of the Defence Precinct's footprint.
AnsweredQoN 95Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
In October 2024, Western Australia signed
a Cooperation Agreement (CA) between the Commonwealth of Australia and the State of
Western Australia to deliver and sustain Australia's future Defence
capabilities. As part of the CA “Initiatives”, there is “e.
identification of opportunities for the Commonwealth to acquire land, seabed,
assets, and capabilities necessary for the establishment of the Defence
Precinct”, and “g. Shared identification of options for coordinated
and collaborative delivery of works that are directly required to support the
mutually-beneficial initiatives in this CA such as environmental modelling and
dredging works.” I ask: (a) what State land and seabed has the Commonwealth identified for acquisition; (b) what environmental modelling has been commissioned as part of the CA; (c) what dredging works in Cockburn Sound are required under the CA; (d) what environmental review of the dredging impacts has been commissioned by
the State Government; (e) to what depth and length will the dredging occur; and (f) when will dredging begin?
a Cooperation Agreement (CA) between the Commonwealth of Australia and the State of
Western Australia to deliver and sustain Australia's future Defence
capabilities. As part of the CA “Initiatives”, there is “e.
identification of opportunities for the Commonwealth to acquire land, seabed,
assets, and capabilities necessary for the establishment of the Defence
Precinct”, and “g. Shared identification of options for coordinated
and collaborative delivery of works that are directly required to support the
mutually-beneficial initiatives in this CA such as environmental modelling and
dredging works.” I ask: (a) what State land and seabed has the Commonwealth identified for acquisition; (b) what environmental modelling has been commissioned as part of the CA; (c) what dredging works in Cockburn Sound are required under the CA; (d) what environmental review of the dredging impacts has been commissioned by
the State Government; (e) to what depth and length will the dredging occur; and (f) when will dredging begin?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
20 May 2025
Responded by
Minister for the Environment representing the Minister for Defence Industries
Response time
4 days
(a) to (f):
The Western Australian Government and the Australian Government have commenced funding negotiations in relation to the initiatives within the Cooperation Agreement. The footprint and total requirements of the Defence Precinct are yet to be confirmed by the Australian Government. Until the Western Australian Government receives formal confirmation of the footprint and total requirements of the Australian Government’s Defence Precinct, the specific information requested in relation to dredging and environmental impacts cannot be assessed and provided.
The Western Australian Government and the Australian Government have commenced funding negotiations in relation to the initiatives within the Cooperation Agreement. The footprint and total requirements of the Defence Precinct are yet to be confirmed by the Australian Government. Until the Western Australian Government receives formal confirmation of the footprint and total requirements of the Australian Government’s Defence Precinct, the specific information requested in relation to dredging and environmental impacts cannot be assessed and provided.
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