The West Majura Grasslands Reserve (not pictured) will be closed for up to six months as the area is examined for unexploded ordnance. Photo: Milsearch Pty Ltd.
Contractors are set to comb 104 hectares of the West Majura Grasslands Reserve in the search for unexploded ammunition from previous military exercises in the area.
The reserve will be closed from 9 October for unexploded ordnance experts from Milsearch Pty Ltd to undertake the safety works.
The company was previously contracted for exploratory work in the reserve to see if items of concern might have been left behind from the area’s military past.
“In the mid-20th century, Majura and Ainslie were used as live military firing ranges and as a result there are more than 1500 anomalies in the grasslands [found by Milsearch] that could be unexploded ordnance,” ACT Parks and Conservation Service executive branch manager Stephen Alegria said.
“They were engaged to do a test run of disposal [in February] to make sure the environmentally-friendly method would work.”
The work involves locating the anomalies then digging a plug of soil out and placing it onto a tarp.
The ground will then be excavated further to determine exactly what has been found and, once that has been removed, the dirt plug will be placed back into the soil, effectively covering up any evidence the area has been disturbed.
“What they find could end up just being a horseshoe or piece of metal, however it could also be unexploded ordnance,” Mr Alegria said.
“If any unexploded ordnance are discovered, additional exclusion zones will be applied as necessary until the unexploded ordnance is removed and deemed safe by the Australian Defence Force.”
The uncertainty around what could be found is why there’s a loose shutdown period of the reserve of up to six months.
While there have been no known incidents with unexploded ordnance in the past, the area is being transitioned into an environmental offset site.
The area is home to endangered and threatened flora and fauna, including natural temperate grasslands, box gum, golden sun moth populations and striped legless lizards.
Mr Alegria said it was important to ensure the land was safe for ACT Parks and Conservation Service staff and contractors to safely carry out maintenance and restoration work required to protect the area and its inhabitants.
“It’s a high value area, and we’re keen to do what we can to help nature along,” he said.
The community has been urged to stay out of the grasslands during the closure period, and to follow all signage and advice from staff in the area.
Trespassers on the closed reserve may incur a fine of up to $800. Information about potential trespassing can be reported anonymously to Access Canberra on 13 22 81.
For more information about the closures or to find out about parks and reserves in your area, visit ACT Parks.
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