Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999
INCLUSION IN THE NATIONAL HERITAGE LIST
OF
THE BATTLE OF THE CORAL SEA SITE
I, Tanya Plibersek, Minister for the Environment and Water, having considered in relation to the place and the National Heritage values described in the Schedule of this instrument:
(a) the Australian Heritage Council's assessment whether the place meets any of the National Heritage criteria as specified under subregulation 10.01A(2) of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Regulations 2000; and
(b) the comments given to the Council under sections 324JG and 324JH of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999; and
being satisfied that the place described in the Schedule has the National Heritage values specified in the Schedule, pursuant to section 324JJ of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, include the place and the specified National Heritage values in the National Heritage List.
Dated 13.2.2025
Tanya Plibersek
Minister for the Environment and Water
SCHEDULE
Coral Sea, External Territory
NAME: The Battle of the Coral Sea Site
BOUNDARY:
The site is situated approximately 1200 km east of Cooktown, within the Exclusive Economic Zone of Australia, and comprises an area of approximately 43,270 square kilometres, bounded by a line commencing at the point of latitude 14° 43’ S, longitude 155° 12’ E and extending south easterly along the geodesic to the point of latitude 15° 48’ S, longitude 158° 26’ E, then extending south westerly along the geodesic to the point of latitude 16° 49’ S, longitude 158° 6’ E, then extending north westerly along the geodesic to the point of latitude 15° 44’ S, longitude 154° 52’ E, and then extending north easterly along the geodesic to the point of commencement.
Criterion | Values |
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The place has outstanding heritage value to the nation because of the place's importance in the course, or pattern, of Australia's natural or cultural history.
(paragraph 10.01A(2)(a) of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Regulations 2000)
| The Battle of the Coral Sea Site has outstanding heritage value to the nation for its connection with the strategically important battle that took place there during World War 2 and the subsequent strengthening of Australia’s security relationship with the United States. The Battle of the Coral Sea was fought between 4 and 8 May 1942. Japanese forces were planning to capture Port Moresby in Papua New Guinea by sea but were defeated by forces from the United States and Australia. The Battle of the Coral Sea was an important event because it was the first naval engagement in history fought without opposing ships making contact. The entire four-day battle was fought using aircraft and aircraft carriers, proving the importance of aircraft carriers to tactical and strategic outcomes for modern warfare. The battle introduced the kind of carrier fighting that became typical in the later period of the war in the Pacific. It introduced a new mode of fighting – one which relied more on airpower than on naval vessels. The Battle of the Coral Sea was a turning point in World War 2 that marked the beginning of the overall Allied victory in the Pacific. It was a significant event that had enduring consequences to the nation because it potentially spared Australia from Japanese invasion and blockade of US supplies, but also assisted in bringing the war in the Pacific to an end. The subsequent Allied advance in Papua New Guinea, including the Kokoda Campaign, while arduous, would likely have been more difficult and taken longer had Japanese forces succeeded in taking Port Moresby. The Battle of the Coral Sea was also significant to the nation because it is regarded as a defining event that cemented Australia’s alliance with the United States. To this day Australia and the United States maintain a strong relationship underpinned by shared democratic values, common interests, cultural affinities and bilateral agreements. A central pillar of relations between Australia and the United States is the Australia, New Zealand and United States Security Treaty (ANZUS Treaty) signed in 1951. A direct result of World War 2 and the rise of communism in the region, the agreement was signed to ensure peace and safety in the Pacific region. More than 70 years on from the signing of the ANZUS Treaty, the United States remains a vital security ally and global partner for Australia. The attributes which express these values are contained within the section of the Coral Sea within Australia’s EEZ where the battle took place, and include the shipwrecks of USS Lexington, USS Neosho and USS Sims.
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The place has outstanding heritage value to the nation because of the place's potential to yield information that will contribute to an understanding of Australia's natural or cultural history.
(paragraph 10.01A(2)(c) of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Regulations 2000) | The physical remains of USS Lexington, USS Sims and USS Neosho have the potential to yield information that could contribute to an understanding of Australia's history during World War 2. From evidence through video footage and side-scan sonar data of USS Lexington captured in 2018 and more generally, as well as the conditions present in deep water shipwreck sites it is considered likely that all three wrecks are in an excellent state of preservation. As such, future studies of the wrecks have the potential to reveal additional data that may not be available through historical records alone concerting the vessels themselves and their role in the Battle of the Coral Sea. Such evidence could enable a clearer picture to be developed of the events that occurred during and after this important World War 2 battle that is of national significance. For example, the archaeological evidence and fabric of the wrecks can provide evidence about the damage the vessels sustained and would also contribute to a more general understanding of the deep-water preservation of wrecks. |