Warship sinking scuttled by court order

The sinking of former warship HMAS Adelaide has been delayed after the NSW Government was forced to cancel its plans to scuttle the decommissioned frigate last weekend.

The Adelaide was due to be towed from Sydney Harbour and sunk off Avoca Beach on the Central Coast as a diving attraction.

However, campaigners concerned that the wreck will pollute the water forced a stay of proceedings by the NSW Administrative Appeals Tribunal

There was a family beach festival organised to coincide with the sinking, but those managing the event were forced to call off the festivities

A spokesman for the Avoca Beach No Ship Action Group, Ben Smith, says they are happy the case will be heard in court, stating "it's still not over yet. We've still got a lot of work to do."

Dr Marian Lloyd-Smith, a senior adviser to the National Toxic Network, says dangerous chemicals are supposed to be removed from ships before they are scuttled, and she does not think that has happened with the Adelaide.

Dr Lloyd-Smith stated "electrical cables that show any evidence of fluid weeping must be removed in their entirety (and) we have photos of quite a nasty, viscous substance seeping from these electrical cables still on board and that would go down with the ship."

NSW Planning Minister Tony Kelly, the Minister with responsibility for the project, says the tribunal's decision will come as a blow to many, stating "this is terribly disappointing for those people on the Central Coast who worked so hard and so long to make this a reality."

At a hearing the NSW Government told the tribunal that it is worried about the HMAS Adelaide sitting in Sydney Harbour for an extended period because it already has holes cut into it and explosives on board, ready to be scuttled.

The matter will return to court late next month where it could be referred to a mediator.

The demolitions expert responsible for the scuttling says the explosives will probably be removed while the case is resolved.

Image: HMAS Adelaide while in service with the Royal Australian Navy.

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