Dear Sir,

I am writing formally to seek permission for a brief visit by myself to the Stony Head Artillery Range (ADF Training Area) east of Georgetown. The specific purpose of the visit is to locate, using a hand-held Global Positioning System instrument, the exact point of intersection of latitude line 41°00'S and longitude line 147°00'E. This point is a short distance inland from the coast within the Range area.

I am currently working in Switzerland but will be in Australia during end of October. I am an enthusiastic participant in the "Degree Confluence Project" which provides a challenge to those with an interest in travel and adventure to visit and formally record such whole-number degree intersection points (or "confluences") across the globe. Formal reports of visits are submitted for inclusion in the Project's website at www.confluence.org.

I have already visited about 350 confluences in Europe and Asia. The reports of all these visits are readily accessible on the website and make interesting reading. A brief description is included of how arrival at the exact points is achieved--some confluences are in strange locations! A tentative date for the proposed visit would be at Stony Head on 24th of October. This could be confirmed closer to that date if permission is granted, or changed by a few days if necessary to fit in with any specific Army requirements.

Normal website reports include five photographs, one close-up of the GPS unit showing the zero reading and a photograph looking in each of the north, south, east and west directions from the confluence. Should such photographs within the Range not be permitted, their absence from the report would be understood.

I imagine that the Army may require that I need to be accompanied by an escort while on the Range and this would be welcome because of that person's knowledge of the terrain. If the visit can proceed, I would be grateful for any advice about the best route for approach by road to the Range. I would be pleased if you were to send me any application forms and advise of any other requirements as soon as convenient. Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Yours sincerely, Rainer Mautz

Dr Mautz,

The National UXO Office is not responsible for the Stoney Head Range. I have however contacted the relevant authority with your request.

I have been informed that the confluence point is within a Range Danger Area, and that due to this your request has not been approved due to an unacceptable level of risk of unexploded ordnance to both Defence, yourself and the escort that would be required for such a visit.

Environment and UXO Project Officer Directorate of Environmental Remediation Programs Environment and Engineering Branch

Good morning Dr Mautz,

Stony Head Artillery Range is a high explosive impact area, as such Defence is unable to facilitate your visit to the site.

Kind regards,

Public Affairs Officer Media Operations | Department of Defence