Australian navy to remove WWII bombs

 THE Autonomous Region of Bougainville has again welcomed the Australian Defence Force’s  Operation Render Safe in Torokina. 

Royal Australian Navy ship HMAS Benalla visited Torokina last week to assess the beach’s capacity to handle equipment moved onshore from ships to support the operation.

A statement from the Australian High Commission said Benalla, along with HMAS Shepparton, had been conducting hydrographical survey in Bougainville in preparation for Operation Render Safe. 

The Australian Defence Force’s operation was a regional programme to remove undetonated bombs, weapons and ammunition remaining from World War II.

The Operation Render Safe in Torokina this year  was conducted at the request of the Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG).

Following a visit on board Benalla, Steven Suako, MP for Torokina, welcomed the Australian force.

Suako spoke to the vessel’s commanding officer Mick Rigby, saying he had a clearer picture of what the operation was about.

“This is an opportunity for the people of Torokina and Bougainville to have updated maritime charts which will help commercial shipping in the future when the opportunity arises. The old chart is out-dated and the new charts will help the ADF to carry out the operation smoothly.”

Chairman of Banoni Baboi Council of Elders Steven Nibo commended the ABG for requesting the Australian force in disposing of the unexploded ordnances in Torokina.