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Coasts and Oceans
Number 59
Australian Centre for Maritime Studies, June 1998
The Australian Maritime Digest is published monthly by the Australian Centre for Maritime Studies on behalf of the Kindred Maritime Organisations for the benefit of the Australian maritime community.
Australia is another step closer to having a comprehensive approach to ocean management following the recent release of Australia's Oceans Policy - An Issues Paper for public comment.
Federal Resources and Energy Minister, Senator Warwick Parer, said this report was prepared following an extensive consultation process. He said Australia's marine industries, such as fisheries, offshore petroleum, and marine tourism, were worth $30 billion a year. The Oceans Policy would ensure they were developed effectively and sustainably, in accordance with multiple use principles.
Senator Parer predicted that our marine industries could double in value by 2020, creating thousands of jobs and billions of dollars in exports and import replacement.
The Oceans Policy Issues Paper emphasises the use of economic instruments - such as individual transferable quotas - to achieve good management, not what he termed 'heavy handed regulation by distant bureaucratic organisations'.
The issues paper recognises the effectiveness of the existing management arrangements for the offshore petroleum and fishing industries. 'The Oceans Policy will build on these arrangements, rather than creating a new statutory authority to manage our oceans.
The release of the issues paper marks the beginning of a final two month consultation stage following what has been an extensive policy development process. The Government is inviting comments from all stakeholders and members of the community before the policy is considered by Ministers.
Comments on the issues paper are due by 15 July 1998. Australia's Oceans Policy is due to be finalised and released later this year.
Federal Environment Minister, Senator Hill, has also released a report from his Ministerial Advisory Group on Oceans Policy, which has been chaired by Mr David Connolly, and which provides the views of key non-government stakeholders on the development of an Australian Oceans Policy.
Copies of Australia's Oceans Policy - An Issues Paper are available by phoning 1800 803772.
For further information contact Matt Brown (Senator Hill's office), phone (02) 6277 7640 or 0419 696515, Philip Burgess (Oceans Policy Issues Paper - Environment Australia), phone (02) 6274 1418, Peter Taylor (Marine Parks - Environment Australia), phone (02) 6274 1759, or Bill McKinley (Senator Parer's office), phone (02) 6277 7440 or 0419 607487. Internet www.dpie.gov.au/dpie/pr/media_releases/parer/index.html.
The Governor-General, Sir William Deane, has approved the proclamation of the Great Australian Bight Marine Park. The new Park is Australia's and the World's second largest marine park.
The management of the marine reserve - which has a wide diversity of marine plants and creatures - has been particularly designed to ensure the protection of the endangered Southern Right Whale and the Australian Sea Lion.
The declaration complements the State reserve proclaimed in September 1996 by the South Australian Government and will assist in putting the region on the world map as a destination for those tourists who want to view the area's whale populations.
Federal Environment Minister, Senator Robert Hill, said he believed the area could be managed in a way that would protect its environmental values but involve minimal impact on existing users, such as the important South Australian tuna industry. For example, the mammal protection zone of the Park will generally be closed to boats during the whale season because the whale season fell outside the tuna fishing season. Senator Hill was confident that existing tuna operators would not be affected.
The marine reserve covers 1,713,429 hectares, including a band 20 nautical miles wide which extends from the State park boundary to the edge of the Exclusive Economic Zone.
Within the reserve, 382,477 hectares along the coastline are designated for mammal protection and a further 1,330,952 hectares will help conserve the wildlife of the sea floor such as sponges, delicate marine algae and sea fans.
Senator Hill said this was the first major marine park in any part of the southern ocean that sought to protect such a large area of the ocean's sea floor. It would provide protection for an area that would be of enormous importance to the nation's scientific efforts to understand our marine environment.
Declaration of the Park followed extensive consultation with the South Australian community, including the fishing and petroleum industries and conservation groups.
It also had the cooperation and support of the South Australian government.
Work will begin immediately on developing a management plan for the Park. Under the Plan, commercial activities which did not harm the conservation values of the area would be allowed to continue.
For further information contact Matt Brown (Senator Hill's office), phone (02) 6277 7640 or 0419693515, or Tim Richmond (Environment Australia), phone (02) 6250 9500.
The Federal Government has allocated $3 million under its Coastcare program to help community groups repair, protect and conserve their local coastal environment.
Environment Minister, Senator Robert Hill, said the funding built on the natural affinity we had with our beaches.
'Australia has one of the longest and most beautiful coastlines in the world' But ' many of our beaches are polluted, vegetation which once covered sand dunes has gone and with it the animals which depended on it for their survival', he said.
Projects funded under Coastcare ranged from sand dune restoration, the building of walking tracks to protect dune vegetation, weed eradication, litter clean-ups on remote beaches, and monitoring of the health of local reefs.
Senator Hill called for applications for Coastcare funding in 1998-99, and released a guide to make applying as simple as possible. Applications close on 26 June 1998.
A Guide to Coastcare Applications 1998-99 can be obtained from the Department of the Environment's Community Information Unit toll free on 1800 803772. It can also be accessed on the Internet at: http://www.ea.gov.au/coasts/coastcare/.
For further information contact Matt Brown (Senator Hill's office), phone (02) 6277 7640 or 0419693515.
The Federal Government is expected to declare a number of new marine parks in Commonwealth waters in the coming year, and is investigating the addition of five new parks to the existing 11 protected areas.
Federal Environment Minister, Senator Robert Hill, said the Government believed that a comprehensive and representative system of marine parks was an essential component in efforts to protect Australia's unique marine biodiversity.
The five new marine parks in Commonwealth waters under consideration are:
As with the declaration process for the Great Australian Bight Marine Park, the Government has begun an extensive consultation process with key stakeholders.
While the primary goal is to secure protection for the conservation values of each of these locations, the Government will seek to work through management arrangements with both conservation and industry groups with an interest in these areas.
Australia's oceans contain a unique array of marine biodiversity, including more than 4000 species of fish, over 500 coral species in our northern reefs, over 50 species of marine mammals and tens of thousands of species of marine invertebrates, plants and microorganisms.
A national approach to ecologically sustainable ocean use, including fisheries, shipping, oil and other seabed resources, and directed towards conserving marine biodiversity, will enhance Australia's position as a world leader in marine management.
Australia's Oceans Policy - An Issues Paper outlines opportunities to enhance our marine related employment and industrial growth while conserving our oceans.
For further information contact Matt Brown (Senator Hill's office), phone (02) 6277 7640.
The Federal Government is to provide an extra $11.5 million for upgrades to the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) and its research vessels.
The money will help pay for new and advanced facilities to ensure that AIMS remains responsive to new challenges.
A total of $8.5 million will be spent on capital works and refurbishment of Institute facilities over the next four years. Another $3 million will be used to upgrade the Institute's research vessels.
AIMS has two purpose-built vessels, the 25-years-old RV Harry Messel which will be replaced by a new $2.5 million vessel, and the RV Lady Basten which will undergo a $0.5 million refurbishment and reconfiguration program.
The project will involve construction of a new building to house state-of-the-art laboratories. In addition, some AIMS staff will relocate from existing facilities while their premises are refurbished to world-class, scientific research standards.
Australia has 11 million square kilometres of ocean territory in its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), an area about 1.4 times the size of the Australian continent. The size of the zone presents significant challenges for maximising economic benefits from fisheries, tourism and offshore oil and gas assets. This has to be done while properly managing and protecting Australia's marine ecosystems.
The research vessels operate under the direction of AIMS over thousands of miles between eastern and western Australia. Scientists analyse patterns and changes in Australia's reefs and fish species; examine potential pharmaceutical properties in ocean organisms; and investigate issues impacting on the development of the North-West Shelf oil and gas industry and represent is a valuable investment in the future of Australia's expanding marine sector.
For further information contact Chris Wordsworth (Media Adviser, office of the Minister for Industry, Science & Tourism), phone (02) 6277 7580 or 0419 982482.
The world ship order book has increased by more than six million gross tonnage (mgt) over the quarter to end-December 1997, according to figures published recently by Lloyd's Register (LR).
Lloyd's Register (LR) is the world's premier ship classification society, and a leading independent technical inspection, certification and advisory organisation, operating from more than 280 exclusive offices worldwide and served by over 4,500 technical and administrative staff.
Representing an increase of more than 12 per cent on the previous quarter, the world ship order book at end-December stood at 56.6 mgt (38.0 million compensated gross tonnage, mcgt*). To end-September 1997, the corresponding figure was 50.5 mgt.
Japan has returned to the top of the world shipbuilding nations, with an order book of 19.818 mgt, an increase of 3.998 mgt over the previous quarter - representing nearly two thirds of the total increase in the world order book.
Korea is in second place, with 18.727 mgt, an increase of 2.085 mgt. China remains in third (3.156 mgt). By area, western Europe's order book stands at 7.983 mgt, with eastern Europe at 4.159 mgt.
The following table summarises the latest quarter's shipbuilding activities for the two major shipbuilding nations and the three area groupings of western Europe, eastern Europe and the rest of the world:
Summary of Shipbuilding Activity for the Quarter Ended 31 December 1997
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| Japan | 19.818 | 2.037 | 5.824 |
| South Korea | 18.727 | 1.534 | 3.887 |
| Western Europe | 7.983 | 0.858 | 0.925 |
| Eastern Europe | 4.159 | 0.259 | 0.130 |
| Rest of World | 5.934 | 0.445 | 0.694 |
These figures are published in LR's World Shipbuilding Statistics, a quarterly summary of the reported world ship order book, including completions, orders placed and delivery schedules for propelled, sea-going merchant ships of 100 gt and above.
As the table below shows, over half of the world order book is scheduled for completion by the end of 1998:
Delivery Schedule of the World Order Book
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*The unit 'compensated gross tonnage' reflects the complexity of work involved in the building of the wide variety of ship types.
World Shipbuilding Statistics is one of a series of statistical publications compiled by LR that also includes World Fleet Statistics (an annual analysis of ships by flag, ship type, size and age) and World Casualty Statistics (a yearly summary of reported merchant ship losses and disposals).
World Shipbuilding Statistics is available via local LR offices or from Publication Sales, Maritime Information Publishing Group, Lloyd's Register, 100 Leadenhall Street, London EC3A 3BP. Telephone: +44 171 423 2171/2, fax: +44 171 423 2182. Orders may also be placed through the LR Web site: www.lr.org.
Western Australian ship builder Austal Ships Pty Ltd has been awarded a $58.4 million contract to build and maintain a new fleet of eight 35-metre seagoing Customs vessels.
The aluminium-hulled vessels will be capable of operating around Australia's coastline and out to the edge of our 200-nautical mile Economic Exclusion Zone. They will replace the current fleet of six smaller vessels, which will be progressively sold as the new fleet becomes operational.
The decision to replace the fleet was announced in the May 1997 Budget and Customs expects to take delivery of the first of the new vessels by March 1999.
The vessels - to be known as 'Bay' class vessels - will have greater capacity to carry out Customs duties and work undertaken on behalf of other Commonwealth agencies, such as the Federal Police, Department of Immigration, Environment Australia and Australian Fisheries Management Authority.
Customs undertook an extensive evaluation process of all tenders before deciding on the Austal bid. The Customs project team was augmented by financial expertise from the Department of Finance and Administration, legal advice from the Attorney-General's Department, technical advice from the Royal Australian Navy and an independent naval architect, as well as analysis by an Australian National University expert in measuring cost-effectiveness.
The new vessels will be named after bays in each State and Territory.
Specifications: 35 Metre 'Bay' Class Australian Customs Vessel
| Length | 35m |
|---|---|
| Beam | 7.2m |
| Draft | 2.5m |
| Displacement | 112t |
| Speed | 20kts |
| Main engines | 2 x MTU 16V2000 M70 |
For further information contact Andrew Hall (Media Adviser, Minister for Customs and Consumer Affairs), phone (02) 6277 7790 or 0419 996766, or Chris Norman (Austal Ships P/L), phone (08) 9410 1111, fax (08) 9410 2564, email, marketng@austal.oz.nf.
The Federal Government has allocated $10.945 billion for Defence in 1998-99 which maintains functional outlays in real terms.
Total Defence expenditure remains at 1.9 per cent of Gross Domestic Product - the same proportion as in 1997-98. At the same time Defence represents 8.7 per cent of Commonwealth outlays - up from the 8.4 per cent forecast for 1997-98.
A total of $2.727 billion will be spent on new capital equipment including new hydrographic survey equipment, the purchase of 'Penguin' anti-ship missiles for the ANZAC ship helicopters, new electronic navigation systems for RAN ships, equipment to facilitate helicopter operations for amphibious ships and a deployable intelligence database for use by operational headquarters.
The capabilities are aimed at maintaining the Australian Defence Force's knowledge edge and deterring threats to its maritime and air approaches through the provision of an effective strike capability.
Highlights of this year's major capital equipment program under previously approved projects are:
Activity continues on the development of the Lead-In Fighter, ANZAC Helicopter and further Strategic Airlift capabilities, and the update of the P-3C Maritime Patrol aircraft to extend their life beyond 2010.
A total of $458.1m is planned to be spent in 1998-99 on major capital facilities projects, specifically:
New major capital facilities initiatives approved in the Budget include:
The Defence Reform Program (DRP) is now in its second year of restructuring the Department of Defence.
DRP efficiency savings of some $100m had already become available for reinvestment to the end of 1997-98, with recurrent annual savings estimated to reach some $250m by the end of 1998-99.
The Program will be conducted over the next five to six years, achieving one-off savings of $500m, with an ongoing annual redirection of resources at maturity of at least $900m.
For further information contact Jim Bonner (office of the Minister for Defence), phone (02) 6277 7800 or 0419 438490 or Frank Lewincamp (Department), phone (02) 6265 5374.
HMAS HAWKESBURY, the second of the six HUON Class minehunter ships ADI Limited is building for the Royal Australian Navy, was launched in Newcastle recently.
The $1 billion project is on schedule and within budget. All of the detailed design work for the project was carried out in Australia, enabling ADI to boost Australian industry involvement with contracts totalling $650 million awarded to Australian subcontractors, including $300 million to Hunter area businesses.
The Acting Prime Minister, Mr Tim Fischer, was keynote speaker at the launch which was attended by more than 1000 people.
ADI managing director, Mr Ken Harris, said Australia was fortunate to have the skills to produce and integrate the state-of-the-art electronic systems which will make the HUON Class one of the world's most advanced minehunters.
Electronic systems would define all modern warships and it was vital that Australia was able to develop and maintain them. A strong systems engineering approach was essential to ensure success, Mr Harris said.
HMAS HAWKESBURY reflected the dramatic changes that had taken place in modern warships. The new ship was made of advanced composite materials rather than steel, its capabilities derived from a number of systems which would be tested and integrated onshore before being installed.
HMAS HAWKESBURY was launched by Mrs Jennifer Smyth, wife of Commodore Dacre Smyth, the last commanding officer of the previous HAWKESBURY, a river class frigate launched in 1943. Commodore Smyth attended the launch.
Work is now progressing on the other five HUON Class ships.
Final outfitting and the setting to work of systems was taking place on the first of the class, HMAS HUON, prior to its commencing sea trials. Its 36 officers and crew had completed training on its systems at the construction facility and would be on board under ADI supervision for the trials. The HAWKESBURY's sea trails are scheduled for the first half of 1999.
Early outfitting of the third ship, HMAS NORMAN, is under way while outfitting of major compartments such as the engine room of the fourth minehunter, HMAS GASCOYNE is well advanced. The keel of the fifth ship, HMAS DIAMANTINA, will be laid in August and work has already commenced on it engine cradle.
The facility's workforce currently exceeds 550 including more than 100 contractors.
For further information contact Leigh Funston (General Manager, Corporate Relations, ADI Limited), phone (02) 9365 9334 or 0414 866 697.
The Australian Defence Force intends to centralise its basic flying training for all three services in the NSW country town of Tamworth.
The Minister for Defence, Mr Ian McLachlan, announced recently that the existing flying training facility at Tamworth was the preferred tenderer for supplying all basic flying training for the ADF.
British Aerospace Flight Training Australia, a subsidiary of British Aerospace Australia, had been selected to provide the services from January 1999 under a $100m, 10-year contract.
The Tamworth academy currently conducts initial flight screening for potential Navy and Air Force pilots and basic flying training for Army pilots. However, under the new arrangements, Navy and Air Force pilots will also complete their basic flying training at Tamworth. Navy and Air Force student pilots currently do their basic flying training at the RAAF's No 2 Flying Training School at Pearce in Western Australia.
The Victorian coastal town of East Sale was also considered as a training site under two other bids for the contract. One bid was from the Adelaide based Australian Aviation College, owned by British Aerospace Australia, and the other from a project team representing the Bombardier Corporation of Canada.
It is estimated that the school will handle more than 140 ADF student pilots and 170 flight screening candidates per year. In addition, another 23 Defence Force personnel will also join the academy staff.
For further information contact Jim Bonner (Minister's office), phone 0419 438490, Richard Hogan (Department of Defence), phone 0419 621753, or Nina Hill (British Aerospace), phone 0417 811062.
The Government will allocate an additional $1.6 million to the Australian Geological Survey Organisation (AGSO) in 1998-99 so it can analyse the data needed to support Australia's marine jurisdiction claims under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
Australia is entitled to claim 3.3 million square kilometres of continental shelf beyond our 200 nautical mile Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), provided it is mapped before 2004. Australia will have jurisdiction over the seabed resources of the shelf, but not its fishery resources, if the claims are successful. Parts of the continental shelf beyond the EEZ have significant medium to long term potential for petroleum exploration.
The Government spent $17 million over the last two Budgets to collect 27,700 kilometres of new geophysical data needed to support the claim; this year's allocation will fund the analysis of this material and over 70,000 line kilometres of pre-existing geophysical data. The amount of data involved is considerable: it is equivalent to more than a billion pages of information.
AGSO will receive an additional $33.3 million ($8.3 million in 1998-99) over the next four years to identify prospective new oil zones in frontier areas, particularly the southern continental margin of the Great Australian Bight.
Australia has 14 years of oil reserves at the current rate of production. The offshore petroleum industry is making new discoveries; however, they are not big enough to replace the depleting reserves of the Bass Strait and the North West Shelf.
The $33.3 million will fund the collection of basic geoscientific information about new areas of the EEZ, which will encourage private sector exploration.
AGSO will also receive an additional $3 million in 1998-99 for the Commonwealth's contribution to the National Geoscience Mapping Accord with the states and the Northern Territory, which will identify new onshore areas with high mineral prospectivity.
The Government will spend $5.6 million over the next five years ($1.5 million in 1998-99) to ensure that the national energy market is structured so that the competition in the market generates reductions in greenhouse gas emissions as well as lower energy prices.
The Government recognises the key role played by the Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) in the sustainable management of our marine environment and in regulating our $1.8 billion fishing industry. AFMA will receive $23.3 million in funding in 1998-99, including a Government contribution of $10.2 million.
The Government will spend $2.2 million in 1998-99 on protecting and restoring Australia's fish habitats through the Fisheries Action Program. The Fisheries Action Program is a Natural Heritage Trust initiative that is funding community projects to protect and restore fish stocks and habitats such as mangroves, estuaries and seagrass beds. So far, 59 projects have been funded, ranging from fish tagging in the Northern Territory to controlling rice grass in the Derwent River.
The Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC) is a Commonwealth statutory corporation that is responsible for planning, funding, and managing fisheries research and development projects. In 1998-99, FRDC will invest $15 million in research projects, including $9.6 million on ecosystem research and resource sustainability.
For further information contact Bill McKinley (Senator Parer's office), phone (02) 6277 7440 or 0419 607487.
The Federal Government has underlined its commitment to understanding and protecting the Antarctic environment with the provision of $63.1 million in the 1998-99 Federal Budget.
Australia is responsible for 42 per cent of the Antarctic region.
The latest funding will enable the continuation of a wide range of high quality scientific research and environmental protection activities at Australia's four Antarctic stations and on board the vessel Aurora Australis.
Highlights of the 1998-99 research program will include:
In addition to supporting Antarctic research, the Government will meet its obligations under the Antarctic Treaty with $90,000 allocated for the completion of a survey of the old Wilkes station in the coming summer, as the basis for a future clean-up of the abandoned site. Plans are also being prepared for a clean-up on sub-Antarctic Heard Island.
To assist in protection of Australia's rich Antarctic heritage, the Federal Government has also allocated a further $250,000 to ensure the continued conservation of the historic and unique huts constructed during Sir Douglas Mawson's 1911-14 Antarctic expedition.
Recognising the environmental importance of ensuring the sustainable management of fisheries in the Southern Ocean, the Government will also continue its diplomatic and other efforts to combat illegal fishing in the region.
For further information phone (02) 8277 3665 (Canberra), (07) 4771 3088 (Townsville), or 0411 042813 (mobile).
The WTO (World Trade Organisation) recently released its report on Australia's quarantine measures on Canadian fresh chilled and frozen salmon.
Deputy Prime Minister, Mr Tim Fischer, said the Australian Government would continue to strongly defend our national interest and the integrity of our science-based risk assessment process in quarantine issues.
The report was being subjected to detailed analysis and because of the complex nature of the issues only preliminary comments were available.
Mr Fischer said that, importantly, the WTO panel had not disputed Australia's right to adopt strong, scientifically-based quarantine measures which were appropriate to our own domestic circumstances and which reflected our relative freedom from pests and diseases.
Nor did the panel recommend the removal of our animal health quarantine measures applying to fresh chilled and frozen salmon' Mr Fischer said.
In essence, the panel's findings were based on two issues;
The Australian Government will make a detailed response after assessment of the complex findings in the report.
A decision whether to appeal the panel's findings must await that assessment. Continued consultation with interested industry groups and State Governments would be integral to the Government's approach.
Note: At this stage, the report has been released on a confidential basis only to the two parties (Australia and Canada).
For further information phone (02) 6277 7420, fax (02) 6273 4128.
Lloyd's Register (LR) recently published a completely revised edition of the publication Bulk carriers - an update, to take account of the latest international developments and requirements to enhance bulk carrier safety. The document was originally published in July 1995, followed by an updated version in January 1996.
The new version incorporates a number of additional features, including an important section on areas at risk. This describes the likely flooding scenarios resulting from failure of a bulk carrier's primary and secondary barriers, and identifies the structural areas at risk from damage that could contribute to failure of each barrier.
Such damage includes cracking at hatch corners, buckling of cross-deck strips, corrosion and cracking of side shell frame end brackets, corrosion and buckling of watertight bulkheads, and grab and bulldozer damage to the inner bottom.
The publication reviews the initiatives and actions taken on the safety of bulk carriers by LR, the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS) and the International Maritime Organization (IMO); and lists the relevant IACS Unified Requirements (URs), Recommendations and Guidelines. It also details the implementation schedule for the IACS URs and the new IMO SOLAS Chapter XII.
A further section on structural requirements for existing bulk carriers is intended to help owners and operators in the planning and budgeting of the required structural upgrading in advance of implementation of the retrospective requirements. LR's four step procedure for evaluating existing bulk carriers is described and useful guidance provided on estimated steel weight increase and associated costs.
Recommendations are made on the types of structural improvements to existing ships necessary to meet the IACS requirements for a range of bulk carrier types - namely, handysize, panamax and capesize. This includes advice on typical reinforcements to the transverse watertight bulkhead between No: 1 and No: 2 holds and to double bottom structure in way of No: 1 hold. To give more help to owners and operators, this section highlights the advantages and disadvantages of homogeneous loading and the option to reduce deadweight.
The publication's review of the current situation has been substantially revised, and the section on actions taken has been extended to reflect the latest statutory and class requirements. The opportunity has also been taken to update the casualty statistics for bulk carriers and oil-bulk-ore carriers (OBOs) over 20,000t dwt.
Another new feature is a description of ShipRightIS, LR's new integrated software system. Bulk carriers - an update points out the potential of the system for application to bulk carriers and notes that such application will result in improved consistency in their structural analysis, enhanced quality, reliability and safety.
Copies of Bulk carriers - an update can be obtained from: The Products Group, Technical Planning and Development Department, Lloyd's Register, 100 Leadenhall Street, London EC3A 3BP, UK (tel: +44 171 423 2517; fax: +44 171 423 2061; email: tpdd-products@lr.org).
Bulk carriers -- an update is also available in its entirety on the LR Group Web site (at www.lr.org). The document is a pdf file which you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader 3.0 to read.
The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology recently tabled its report, A sea of indifference - Australian industry participation in the North West Shelf project.
Mr Bruce Reid MP, Chair of the Committee, said major resources projects such as the North West Shelf gas project must make more of a contribution to Australia than just paying taxation and royalties. Ideally, such projects should play a large role in developing the capability and experience of Australian industry and the skills base of our people.
The Committee found that the way in which local content was currently measured did not adequately focus on the amount of value adding in Australia. The development, through industry consultation, of an agreed method of calculating local content should be a high priority.
The Committee criticised the efforts of the Department of Industry, Science and Tourism and the Department of Primary Industries and Energy in promoting local content.
The Committee was concerned that local industry might be missing out on the opportunity to tender for work because developers give contracts worth millions of dollars to their overseas-based alliance partners. The Committee recommended that the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission investigate whether alliances between petroleum developers and overseas firms have resulted in anti-competitive behaviour.
The Committee recommended that the Government should require those seeking exploration permits or production licences to:
15-16 June
Workshop: 'Wise up to Ekranoplan GEMs'
University of NSW, Sydney
Organised and sponsored by the Institute of Marine Engineers (Sydney Branch), the University of NSW (Department of Naval Architecture) and Australian Maritime Engineering CRC Ltd.
Contact: L.J. Prandolini, Hon. Secretary, Sydney Branch, IMarE, 58 Melba Drive, East Ryde NSW 2113, phone (02) 9878 1914, fax (02) 9878 4669, email sbimare@msn.com.
18-20 August 1998
Spillcon '98 - 7th International Oil Spill Conference: 'Oil Spills: Causes and Cures'
Cairns Convention Centre
Organised by the Australian Institute of Petroleum Ltd (AIP) and the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA). Endorsed by International Petroleum Industry Environmental Conservation Association (IPIECA), International Maritime Organization (IMO), Maritime Safety Authority of New Zealand (MSANZ).
The conference will cover the following themes: Causes and Prevention; Preparedness; Response Management; Post Spill Issues of Recent Incidents; Case Studies; Public Perception. An on-water demonstration of the latest in oil spill response equipment will be held.
Contact: Conference Secretariat, c/- The Meeting Planners, 108 Church Street, Hawthorn VIC 3122, phone (03) 9819 3700, fax (03) 9819 5978, e-mail spillcon@meetingplanners.com.au.
20-21 October 1998
Association of Maritime Education and Training Institutions in Asia Pacific: 2nd Annual General Meeting and Conference
Shanghai Maritime University.
The theme of the conference is 'Education for Safer Ships and Cleaner Oceans'.
Contact: Rod Short, Executive Secretary, PO Box 104, Legana, TAS 7277, phone/fax: (03) 6330 1834.
5-7 January 1999
Hydro 99 - Information Management
University of Plymouth, Devon, UK
Organised by The International Hydrographic Society.
Contact: Ron Whitmore, phone (02) 9489 2091, fax (02) 9489 2048, email seacon@sydpcug.org.au.
27-29 April 1999
Oceanology International 99 Pacific Rim, a marine science and ocean technology exhibition and conference focusing on the Indo and Pacific Regions. Theme: 'Enabling Technology for a Sustainable Environment'.
World Trade Centre, Singapore.
The Conference Committee invites speakers to present abstracts on Marine Environmental Management, Marine Information Technology, Marine Biology/Biotechnology, Acoustics, Operational Modelling and Integrated Coastal Zone Management. The topics are intended as a guide and are not exclusive. The deadline for receipt of abstracts is 9 October 1998.
Copies of the call for papers and full information on all aspects of the Oceanology International series of events are available from Spearhead Exhibitions Ltd, owners and organisers of the OI series of events, Ocean House, 50 Kingston Road, New Malden, Surrey KT3 3LZ UK, phone +44 (0)181 949 9222, fax +44 (0)181 949 8186/8168, email oi99@spearhead.co.uk , Internet www.spearhead.co.uk.
Availability of Publications:
Organisations or persons wishing to obtain copies of publications or relevant Hansard volumes mentioned in this issue at nominal cost can apply to:
Capital Monitor, PO Box 2891, Canberra City ACT 2601, Phone (02) 6273 4899; Fax (02) 6273 4905
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