I write regarding an article titled Bungle sparked massive fire which was published in the Sydney Morning Herald and online on Friday 25 October 2013. The article alleged that Australian Defence Force personnel, who were conducting an explosive ordnance training exercise on the Marangaroo Training Area, exceeded the mandated limit on the quantity of explosives detonated during an activity on 16 October 2013.
This is contrary to initial investigations which indicate that the total quantity of unexploded ordnance detonated that day was within the range approved limit.
The Department of Defence is conducting a comprehensive inquiry into an explosive ordnance training activity at Marangaroo Training Area which the NSW Rural Fire Service has identified as the cause of the State Mine Fire near Lithgow. The purpose of this inquiry is to look at the specific circumstances surrounding this activity to fully determine the facts.
It is important to allow the Defence inquiry and the NSW Police investigation to take their course and establish the facts in order to reach an informed conclusion rather than to speculate on the matter.
Yours sincerely,
M.D. BINSKIN, AO
Air Marshal
Acting Chief of the Defence Force
Issued by Ministerial and Executive Coordination and Communication,
Department of Defence,
Canberra, ACT
Phone: 02 6127 1999 Fax: 02 6265 6946
