Woomera Prohibited Area (WPA)
Procedure for entry to the WPA Deed of access Access permission More information and contacts |
The Woomera Prohibited Area (WPA) covers an area of 127,000 square kilometres approximately 450 km NNW of Adelaide.
The WPA has been declared a Prohibited Area under Part VII of the Defence Force Regulations 1952 and is used for 'the testing of war material' under the control of the Royal Australian Air Force.
In 2011 a joint Australian Government—South Australian Government WPA Coordination Office (WPACO) was established to administer non-Defence use of the WPA, including the development of new management framework arrangements that support co-existence between Defence and non-Defence users within the WPA.
The WPA has been divided into four access zones (red, amber zone 1, amber zone 2 and green) offering different levels of access to non-Defence users.
Access zone descriptions are available from www.defence.gov.au/woomera/zones.htm
Each management zone has exclusion periods during which Defence may undertake testing activities. Access during an exclusion period will not be permitted.
Exclusion periods for 2012-13 are given on www.defence.gov.au/woomera/exclusionperiods.htm
Note that existing non-Defence users of the WPA, including current operating mines, will continue to operate under their current access arrangements, including evacuation for Defence testing as required.
WPA access zones |
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| WPA access zones View larger map (.jpg) |
Defence continuous use zone (red)
The frequency of Defence use of the red zone, the associated safety and security requirements, and the complexity of managing use means that no non-Defence users will be admitted to the red zone. That is, there is no access for mineral, petroleum or geothermal exploration or production at any time.
The one non-Defence user exception will be geological surveys conducted by the South Australian Government in collaboration with Australian Government agencies.
Defence periodic use zone 1 (amber)
Non-Defence users in Defence periodic use zone 1 will be required to evacuate for 140 days per year. Complete evacuation means no non-Defence personnel and activity on the site (including underground). That is, this area will be accessible 225 days of the year for mineral, petroleum or geothermal exploration or production following the accepted entry procedure outlined below.
Non-Defence users in the amber zone will be notified of the evacuation ‘windows’ for the coming financial year every March. This will assist with commercial planning by providing a clear indication of when non-Defence users will and will not be able to access the WPA.
Defence periodic use zone 2 (corridor)
Non-Defence users will be required to evacuate the Defence periodic use zone 2 (corridor) completely for 70 days per year. Complete evacuation means no non-Defence personnel and activity on the site (including underground). That is, this area will be accessible 295 days of the year for mineral, petroleum or geothermal exploration or production following the entry procedure outlined below.
Non-Defence users in the amber zone will be notified of the evacuation ‘windows’ for the coming financial year every March. This will assist with commercial planning by providing a clear indication of when non-Defence users will and will not be able to access the WPA.
Defence infrequent use zone (green)
Non-Defence users may be required to evacuate the green zone up to 56 days per year. Non-Defence users may not need to be evacuated during the course of the year, depending on the frequency and type of testing being conducted. That is, this area will be accessible for between 309 to 365 days of the year for mineral, petroleum or geothermal exploration or production following the entry procedure outlined below.
Evacuation notices
Users who are resident in the WPA will be given a minimum of 6 months notice of any evacuation periods. Users who do not have a permanent presence in the WPA will be given no less than 14 days notice.
Public right of access
Separate to the green, amber and red zones, there is a public right of access to the north–south railway and the Stuart Highway through the WPA. This access is subject to Defence closing the railway and highway when required.
Procedure for entry to the WPA |
Companies seeking access for mineral exploration or mining activities to the WPA must:
- hold a licence/lease issued by DMITRE
- enter into a Deed of Access between the holder of the licence/lease and the Australian Government (Defence)
- request access permission for each activity in the WPA.
Application for a Deed of Access |
Guidelines for preparing an application for a Deed of Access to the WPA can be obtained from the WPACO website.
Approval of applications is dependent upon the receipt of all necessary documentation and an assessment of the impact on Defence activities.
Application for access permission |
After gaining a Deed of Access, separate permission must be obtained to enter the WPA prior to each visit. An Exploration Access Request form must be completed and submitted to the Woomera Test Range to obtain this permission. This is to ensure that concurrent exploration and Defence activities do not pose a risk to safety, property or national security.
Information about obtaining an Exploration Access Request form is available from the ‘Access Permission’ page of the WPACO website.
More information and contacts |
M32 Mineral exploration and mining activities within the Woomera Prohibited Area (.pdf 1.4Mb) (December 2011)
Information Sheet produced by DMITRE's Resources and Energy Group
Woomera Prohibited Area Coordination Office website
Woomera Prohibited Area Coordination Office (WPACO
Department of Defence
PO Box 7925, Canberra ACT 2610
Phone 1300 727 420
Fax +61 2 6127 4650
Email WPACO@defence.gov.au
www.defence.gov.au/woomera
Woomera Test Range Defence Centre
PO Box 157, Woomera SA 5720
Phone +61 8 8674 3210
Fax +61 8 8674 3217
Email Woomera.Enquiries@defence.gov.au
- Page URL: http://www.pir.sa.gov.au/minerals/access_to_land/woomera_prohibited_area_wpa
- Page Last Modified: April 20, 2012