27 May 2014
Operation Render Safe Scoping Team Visit to Bougainville
A planning team for Operation Render Safe will visit Buka and Torokina in Bougainville from 29 May to 7 June to continue preparations for Operation Render Safe, which is scheduled to occur in Torokina in October 2014.
Operation Render Safe is occurring as a result of the Autonomous Bougainville Government’s (ABG)’s request to Australia to assist with the removal of unexploded World War Two ordnance, small arms and ammunition remaining in Torokina.
The Government of Papua New Guinea has endorsed this task, which will help improve public safety by reducing the threat of unexploded ordnance, weapons and ammunition in Torokina. It will also allow the community to use their land safely, including for gardens and crops, as well as to pursue economic development opportunities in a safe environment. Operation Render Safe focuses on safety. It does not involve compensation or community development projects.
The scoping team will consist of 14 Australian Defence Force members and 1 member of the Canadian Armed Forces. In Buka the team will meet with ABG leaders and will focus on the logistics and support requirements for the Operation. The focus in Torokina will be on discussions with community leaders and on planning the explosive ordnance disposal work of the Operation.
The team will be led by Captain Jay Bannister, who will be the overall Commander of Operation Render Safe when it occurs later this year. Captain Bannister and the team will arrive in Buka on 29 May via a C-130J military aircraft, and depart Buka on 7 June again using a C-130J military aircraft.
Head of Australian Defence Staff Colonel Dick Parker said, “Torokina was used as a military base in World War Two, and there are still many unexploded bombs, small arms and ammunition remaining in the area. In addition to making communities safer by removing unexploded ordnance, Operation Render Safe is one way Australia can contribute to weapons disposal efforts, as well as helping maintain peace and security in Bougainville.”
The Torokina community has welcomed the Australian Defence Force removing unexploded ordnance remaining from World War Two through Operation Render Safe. The Australian High Commission and the ABG recognise that community consultation and awareness is essential for the successful conduct of the mission.
Operation Render Safe is Australia’s enduring commitment to disposing of unexploded ordnance from WW2 in the South West Pacific. Australia welcomes the participation of other countries in Operation Render Safe. The operation was previously conducted in Solomon Islands in 2013 and Rabaul and the Kokoda Track in 2011.