5. Commercial and non-commercial use

Since 2019, defence activities have used areas outside the regular training sites. For example, as part of Exercise Talisman Sabre 2023, Joint Logistics Over the Shore activity occurred at Kings Beach in Bowen.¹²⁰⁹

As part of the Australia–Singapore Military Training Initiative, work has commenced on the expansion of Shoalwater Bay Training Area in the areas adjacent to the Region with targeted completion by mid-2024.¹²¹⁰ The footprint of the training site within the Region is not expected to change, but the frequency and scale of defence activities may increase in the future.¹²¹¹

Management | Defence activities are allowed under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth) (EPBC Act), Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975 (Cth) (Marine Park Act) and zoning plans. The Australian Department of Defence directly manages the environmental impact of operational and training defence activities including the conduct of activities by visiting international defence forces. This management is primarily through a strategic environmental assessment and environmental management plans. The Department of Defence works in collaboration with the Reef Authority through a Memorandum of Understanding, which strengthens the management system through information sharing and collaboration. Other management agencies, such as the Queensland Department of Environment, Science and Innovation and the Australian Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water engage on an ad hocbasis in relation to training activities such as Exercise Talisman Sabre.