Documents relating to the potential harm to the environment caused by the burying of MRH-90 Taipan army helicopters
Richard Smith made this Freedom of Information request to Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water
Dear Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW),
Last year, several news reports detailed that the method of disposal for the Commonwealth’s MRH-90 Taipan army helicopters had been decided by the government to involve “once stripped of useful parts, the MRH-90 hulls will be buried”.
Considering the potential for hazardous chemicals and materials that could be contained inside of or be a part of these helicopters, the burying of these helicopter hulls has the potential to contaminate the environment, including the groundwater and water table.
I therefore request the following Government Information:
a) Documents describing any communication, within the period 2023-2024, that the DCCEEW has had with the Department of Defence in regards to the Commonwealth's burying of MRH-90 hulls or helicopter remains;
b) Documents describing any communication, within the period 2023-2024, that the DCCEEW has had with the Army in regards to the Commonwealth's burying of MRH-90 hulls or helicopter remains;
c) Documents describing any communication, within the period 2023-2024, that the DCCEEW has had with the Minister of Defence in regards to the Commonwealth's burying of MRH-90 hulls or helicopter remains; and
d) Documents detailing any risk assessment or analysis of potential of harm to the environment that the the DCCEEW has undertaken, within the period 2023-2024, in regards to the Commonwealth's burying of MRH-90 hulls or remains.
If this can be answered as informal request, please do so.
Otherwise, please proceed with this as a formal request under the Freedom of Information principles & framework, i.e. the Freedom of Information Act 1982 & other associated guidelines and regulations.
Yours faithfully,
Richard Smith
OFFICIAL
Dear Richard Smith
We refer to your request received by the Department of Climate Change,
Energy, the Environment and Water on 31 March 2025 (below).
We would be grateful if you could please contact us on the number below to
discuss your request with you. Alternatively, you may wish to provide us
with a phone number to contact you on.
Kind regards
FOI Contact Officer
Legal Division | Corporate, Climate and Energy Branch | Information Law
Team
Ngunnawal and Ngambri Country, John Gorton Building, King Edward Terrace,
Parkes ACT 2600
GPO Box 3090 ACT 2601
Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water
T 02 5162 2228 | E [1][DCCEWW request email]
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DCCEEW.gov.au ABN 63 573 932 849
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OFFICIAL
Dear FOI Contact Officer,
Thank you for your reply to my request for government information.
In regards to your request that I telephone you to discuss my request to the Department of 31 March, I would prefer to conduct this request in writing.
Yours sincerely,
Richard Smith
OFFICIAL
Dear Richard Smith
Please see attached correspondence from the Department of Climate Change,
Energy, the Environment and Water in relation to FOI request, LEX 79837.
Kind regards
FOI Contact Officer
Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water
Ngunnawal and Ngambri Country, John Gorton Building, King Edward Terrace
(GPO Box 3090) Parkes ACT 2600 Australia
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DCCEEW.gov.au ABN 63 573 932 849
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professional privilege or information that is otherwise sensitive or
confidential. If you are not the intended recipient of this email, you are
prohibited from using or disseminating this communication. If you have
received this communication in error please notify the sender immediately
and permanently delete this email.
OFFICIAL
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Dear FOI Contact Officer,
Thank you for your reply of 3rd April 2025 in regards to my request for government information.
I appreciate the Department's prompt processing of and response to my request.
Yours sincerely,
Richard Smith