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 Defence
Dear Department of Defence,
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 recently requested from the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) any documents relating to any assessment of risks and harm to the environment resulting from this disposal method.
Refer to this request at this link: https://www.righttoknow.org.au/request/d...
The DCCEEW responded to my request saying that no such documents exist.
It would be reasonable then to conclude then that any analysis of environmental harm caused by the burying of these helicopter hulls, if it has been done, has not involved the DCCEEW.
I therefore request the following Government Information:
a) Documents detailing any risk assessment or analysis of potential of harm to the environment that the Department of Defence has undertaken, within the period 2023-2024, in regards to the Commonwealth's burying of MRH-90 hulls or remains;
b) Documents describing any communication between the Army and the Department of Defence, within the period 2023-2024, that mentions or details potential or actual environmental harm in regards to the Commonwealth's burying of MRH-90 hulls or helicopter remains; and
c) Documents describing any communication between the Department of Defence and the Minister of Defence, within the period 2023-2024, that mentions or details potential or actual environmental harm in regards to the Commonwealth's burying of MRH-90 hulls or helicopter 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
Reference: Defence FOI 866/24/25
Dear Richard
Acknowledgement
I refer to your correspondence of 7 April 2025 seeking access to
documents held by the Department of Defence (Defence), under the Freedom
of Information Act 1982 (FOI Act). This email is to advise you that your
request has been received and allocated for Case Management.
The scope of your request is:
…
a) Documents detailing any risk assessment or analysis of potential
of harm to the environment that the Department of Defence has undertaken,
within the period 2023-2024, in regards to the Commonwealth's burying of
MRH-90 hulls or remains;
b) Documents describing any communication between the Army and the
Department of Defence, within the period 2023-2024, that mentions or
details potential or actual environmental harm in regards to the
Commonwealth's burying of MRH-90 hulls or helicopter remains; and
c) Documents describing any communication between the Department of
Defence and the Minister of Defence, within the period 2023-2024, that
mentions or details potential or actual environmental harm in regards to
the Commonwealth's burying of MRH-90 hulls or helicopter remains.
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