Encyclopedia > Defence Science and Technology Organisation
The Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO) is a branch of the AustralianDepartment of Defence which researches and develops technologies for use in the Australian Defence Industry. DSTO was created in 1974 by amalgamating the Australian Defence Scientific Service with the Science Branch of the Department of Defence. Over the next 20 years various other Australian Defence laboratories were integrated with DSTO, including what remained of the Weapons Research Establishment, responsible for the Woomera test range.
The Defence, Science and TechnologyOrganisation, part of the Department of Defence, is working to help soldiers in the battlefield and civilians in the event of a terrorist strike.
Defence, Science and Technology and an Australian company, Ambri, have produced the "ion channel switch biosensor", which aims to detect biological agents in the air within 10 hours of an attack.
The DSTO documents report that "performance to date is encouraging and subject to further successful laboratory evaluation; overseas field trials are proposed".
Defence confirmed that the contamination referred to was of the type usually associated with farming activities and was concentrated on the land currently occupied by the farm and piggery.
Defencestated that the proposed ordnance breakdown buildings would be designed to meet standard requirements for the handling of explosives and other hazardous materials, and that none of these materials would be released into the environment.
Defence explained that, following the presentation of the PAD, and the absence of any appeals, the usual course of events was for the Commonwealth to pay the landowner 90 per cent of the value of the land up-front, with the remaining ten per cent to be paid upon completion of negotiations.
Feeds |
Contact