Australian Commonwealth Coat of Arms - it consists of a shield containing the six official state symbols, held up by a kangaroo and an emu.

LANDS ACQUISITION ACT 1989
PRE-ACQUISITION DECLARATION

1. Acquisition

In accordance with the Lands Acquisition Act 1989, I am considering the acquisition of the interests in land specified in paragraph 4 for the public purpose described in paragraph 5.

2. The acquiring authority

The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) established under the Science and Industry Research Act 1949 is the acquiring authority.

3. The Land

This declaration relates to the whole of the land described as Lot 17 on Deposited Plan 194335 shown in Part 1 of the Schedule which is comprised in Certificate of Crown Land Title Volume LR3064 Folio 478 (‘the Land’).

The Land is approximately 85,322 hectares and is located in the locality of Murchison in the State of Western Australia. A plan showing the approximate location of the Land is set out in Part 2 of the Schedule.

4. The Interests in Land

This declaration relates to the acquisition of Western Australia registered Lease N049407 (Pastoral Lease) in respect of the Land.

5. Public Purpose

The public purpose of the acquisition is astronomical observations.

6. Suitability for use for a public purpose

The Land appears to be suitable for development for use for the public purpose described in paragraph 5.

7. Particulars of Proposed Use

The Land is proposed to be developed to enable a portion of the Square Kilometre Array Low Telescope to be constructed on the Land. The Land is also proposed to be managed as part of Inyarrimanha Ilgari Bundara, the CSIRO Murchison Radio-astronomy Observatory.

Inyarrimanha Ilgari Bundara, the CSIRO Murchison Radio-astronomy Observatory is a preferred location to operate telescopes that collect radio signals from space. These signals are used by astronomers to collect data on the physical properties of many phenomena in the universe including galaxies, stars, other planets and the sun.

8. Reasons why the Land appears to be Suitable for the Proposed Use

The reason why the Land appears to be suitable for the proposed use described in paragraph 7 is that:

a. The Land adjoins to the land currently referred to and used as Inyarrimanha Ilgari Bundara, the CSIRO Murchison Radio-astronomy Observatory where the majority of the SKA project is being constructed.

b. The Land has excellent radio quietness and is predominantly within the Inner Zone of the Australian Radio Quiet Zone Western Australia.

DATED this 6th day of January 2025.

Deb Lewis

Acting Assistant Secretary

Property and Construction Division

Department of Finance

Canberra ACT 2600

Note: This Pre-Acquisition Declaration signifies that I am considering acquisition of the interests in land specified in paragraph 4 by the CSIRO. It does NOT mean that the interests in land have been acquired.

Schedule – Part 1 - Location of the Land

Title plan of Lot 17, DP 194335 Kalli Station showing neighbouring stations (clockwise from north: Nookawarra, Mileura, Mandooga, Meka and Boolardy) plus Landgate information (District Nookawarra; Local Authority Shire of Murchison).
Schedule – Part 2 – Location of the Land

Locality plan of Kalli Station in the East Murchison showing the Boolardy-Kalli road running through the Land to the intersection of two un-named roads in the middle of the southern boundary of the Land.