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OVERVIEW OF DEFENCE ACTIVITIES IN THE JERVIS BAY EXERCISE AREA
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with them and all exercise activity is done in strict accordance with those plans, using
the RAN procedure cards. 1
Jervis Bay has a large number of Commonwealth nature reserves, marine parks and
other sensitive areas associated with it. RAN and Defence activities are actively
controlled in the area. The RAN, in particular, is cognisant of all the issues associated
with operating in this environmentally sensitive area. We have been operating in this
area for a long time. The area is still in a pristine condition and we like to think that
this is because the RAN does maintain environmental stewardship and has a good
‘green’ culture right throughout the Fleet, but we can always do better in this.
The RAN recognises that to sustain this area there needs to be close communication and
liaison with all the key stakeholders in the area. It is more than just the environmental
issues — there is the cultural and indigenous importance of a large proportion of the area
in which we operate. The RAN needs to maintain that open communication with all the
key stakeholders so that our activity is not curtailed in the future, while maintaining
the pristine conditions of Jervis Bay.
Notes
1
For example see diagram on page 33 in Chapter 5 of this volume.