Supply and Development (Rocket Range) Regulations

Legislation au C1960L00011 Regulations Not in force Legislative Instrument

Legislation content

STATUTORY RULES.

1960. No. 11.

 

REGULATIONS UNDER THE SUPPLY AND DEVELOPMENT ACT 1939-1948.*

I, THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL in and over the Commonwealth of Australia, acting with the advice of the Federal Executive Council, hereby make the following Regulations under the Supply and Development Act 1939-1948.

Dated this 9th day of January, 1960.

W. J. Slim

Governor-General.

By His Excellency’s Command,

Minister of State for Supply.

 

SUPPLY AND DEVELOPMENT (ROCKET RANGE) REGULATIONS.

Citation.

1. These Regulations may be cited as the Supply and Development (Rocket Range) Regulations.

Repeal and savings.

2.—(1.) The Supply and Development (Woomera Rocket Range) Regulations (being Statutory Rules 1953, No. 18) are repealed.

(2.) A canteen established, by virtue of regulation 4 of the regulations repealed by sub-regulation (1.) of this regulation, for the use of persons employed in or in connexion with an undertaking established in the Woomera Rocket Range Area as defined by the Regulations so repealed and being carried on immediately before the date of commencement of these Regulations shall, from and including that date, be deemed to be a canteen established by the Minister, by virtue of these Regulations, for the use of persons employed in or in connexion with an undertaking established in the Woomera Area.

(3.) An authority given by the Minister under regulation 4 of the regulations repealed by sub-regulation (1.) of this regulation and in force immediately before the date of commencement of these Regulations shall, from and including that date, be deemed to have been given under regulation 5 of these Regulations.

Definitions.

3. In these Regulations—

“the Talgarno Area” means the area of land situated in the State of Western Australia known as the Talgarno Prohibited Area, being the area described in the notice under section 6 of the Defence (Special Undertakings) Act 1952 that was published in the Gazette on the fourth day of December, 1958;

* Notified in the Commonwealth Gazette on , 1960.

9442/59.—Price 3d. 9/9.11.1959.


“the Woomera Area” means the places situated in the State of South Australia that were respectively declared to be prohibited areas by the notice under regulation 5 of the Supply and Development (Long Range Weapons) Regulations that was published in the Gazette on the fourteenth day of April, 1949, and by the notice under sub-regulation (1.) of regulation 90 of the Supply and Development Regulations that was published in the Gazette on the twentieth day of December, 1951.

Transport, &c., in the Woomera Area.

4.—(1.) A person authorized by the Minister to act under this regulation may give a direction or authority to a person (whether a member of the Defence Force or not) who is performing duties or employed in or in connexion with an undertaking established in the Woomera Area, with respect to the transport, handling, storage, testing or use, in that area, for the purposes of such an undertaking, of weapons, explosives, vehicles or other war materiel.

(2.) A direction or authority under the last preceding sub-regulation may be given to a particular person or to particular persons or to the persons included in a class of persons.

(3.) It is lawful for a person to whom a direction or authority under sub-regulation (1.) of this regulation applies to comply with the direction or exercise the authority.

Canteens.

5.—(1.) Where the Minister considers it necessary so to do for the purposes of the efficient operation of an undertaking established in the Woomera Area or in the Talgarno Area, the Minister may establish, or arrange for the establishment of, a canteen for the use of persons, employed in or in connexion with such an undertaking, and may authorize the sale or supply of alcoholic liquor at such a canteen upon such terms and conditions as he thinks fit.

(2.) It is lawful to sell or supply alcoholic liquor in pursuance of an authority by the Minister under the last preceding sub-regulation.

 

By Authority: A. J. Arthur, Commonwealth Government Printer, Canberra.

Overview

The Supply and Development (Rocket Range) Regulations 1960 were enacted to provide a framework for the regulation of activities related to the supply and development of rocket ranges in Australia, particularly focusing on the Woomera Area in South Australia and the Talgarno Area in Western Australia. These Regulations were established under the Supply and Development Act 1939-1948, with the enacting body being the Governor-General acting on the advice of the Federal Executive Council. The primary problem these Regulations aim to address is the need for controlled and authorised management of activities involving weapons, explosives, vehicles, and other war materiel within designated rocket range areas, ensuring both safety and operational efficiency. The policy objective is to allow the Minister to issue directions or authorities for the handling and use of such materials, as well as to establish canteens for personnel involved in these activities, thereby facilitating the smooth operation of related undertakings.

Scope and Application

The Supply and Development (Rocket Range) Regulations were made under the Supply and Development Act 1939-1948 and apply specifically to the Woomera Area in South Australia and the Talgarno Area in Western Australia. These regulations are designed to facilitate the efficient operation of undertakings related to rocket ranges by allowing for the transport, handling, storage, testing, and use of weapons, explosives, vehicles, or other war materiel within these designated areas. The Minister is authorised to issue directions or authorities to individuals performing duties or employed in connection with such undertakings. Additionally, the Minister has the discretion to establish canteens within these areas for the use of personnel and may permit the sale or supply of alcoholic liquor at these canteens, subject to specified terms and conditions. These regulations effectively replace the earlier Supply and Development (Woomera Rocket Range) Regulations, ensuring continuity in the management and operation of these sensitive and strategic areas.

Key Provisions

The Supply and Development (Rocket Range) Regulations provide the legal framework governing the use and management of specific areas designated for rocket range activities and related developments, particularly focusing on the Woomera Area in South Australia and the Talgarno Area in Western Australia. Under Section 4, the Minister is empowered to issue directions or grant authorities to individuals involved in handling, transporting, storing, testing, or using weapons, explosives, vehicles, or other war materiel within the Woomera Area, for the purpose of undertakings established there. This includes the ability to delegate such authority to specific individuals or groups, as well as classes of persons. Additionally, Section 5 of the Regulations permits the Minister to establish canteens within these areas, or arrange for their establishment, where deemed necessary for the efficient operation of undertakings. The Minister may also authorize the sale or supply of alcoholic liquor at these canteens, subject to the terms and conditions he determines. The Regulations impose several obligations on the parties or entities they govern. For example, individuals who are authorized by the Minister under Section 4 have the lawful authority to comply with any directions or exercise any granted authority related to the specified activities within the designated areas. Similarly, canteens established under Section 5 must operate in accordance with the terms and conditions set by the Minister, including any restrictions on the sale or supply of alcoholic liquor. These provisions are designed to ensure the efficient and safe operation of undertakings in these sensitive areas, thereby supporting the broader objectives of the Supply and Development Act 1939-1948. Breach of the provisions within these Regulations can lead to significant legal consequences. Although the Regulations themselves do not explicitly state offences, penalties, or civil/criminal consequences, actions taken in contravention of the Minister’s directions or authorities could potentially be viewed as violations of related statutes or common law principles. For instance, unauthorized handling of war materiel or the unlawful sale of alcohol could attract penalties under other relevant Acts, such as the Defence Act 1903 or liquor licensing laws. In such cases, penalties could include fines and imprisonment, depending on the severity of the breach and the specific laws violated. It is important for all parties involved to adhere strictly to the directions and authorities granted under these Regulations to avoid any potential legal repercussions.

Legal classification tags

Area of Law
Defence & Security Law
Instrument
Legislative Instrument
Concepts
Definitions & Interpretation
Repeal & Amendment
Prohibited Conduct

Interactions

Authorises

All Versions

Sourced from the Federal Register of Legislation at 26 August 2026. For the latest information on Australian Government law please go to https://www.legislation.gov.au.