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Australian Radio-Quiet Zone WA (ARQZWA)

The Australian Radio Quiet Zone WA (ARQZWA), originally called the Mid West Radio Quiet Zone, was established by the Australian and Western Australian Governments to protect radio astronomy receivers from harmful radio interference, while allowing for opportunities for coexistence with other activities. This factsheet provides information about the radio-quiet zone around the Murchison Radio-astronomy Observatory (MRO) site in the Mid West region of Western Australia.

The Murchison Radio- The Australian Radio-Quiet Radio frequency astronomy Observatory Zone WA (ARQZWA) interference The Murchison Radio-astronomy The Australian Radio Quiet Zone WA Radio telescopes are designed Observatory (MRO) is a 126 km2 area (ARQZWA) is an area around the MRO to detect faint radio signals from located within the boundaries of within which radio frequency emissions space, but this also makes them very Boolardy Station, about 315 km north need to be managed to ensure the sensitive to the interference caused east of Geraldton. proper functioning of the MRO’s world- by other radio transmissions. leading telescopes. Home to world-leading telescopes such This radio frequency interference as CSIRO’s Australian Square Kilometre The ARQZWA is protected by the can be caused by radio transmissions Array Pathfinder (ASKAP) and the legislation, regulatory and policy from mobile phones, two-way radios Murchison Widefield Array (MWA), instruments put in place by the and broadcasting towers, or by the MRO has been created for radio Australian Communications and electrical equipment such as vehicles, astronomy research and is an exciting Media Authority (ACMA) and by three appliances or electrical machinery. location for global science. protected zones managed by the Department of Mines and Petroleum in It is also the future site of Australian the WA government. For the lowest frequency range, the infrastructure for the international SKA ARQZWA extends to 260 km from the telescope project; SKA infrastructure will The ACMA has implemented regulations MRO. also be built in southern Africa. about the use of radio devices in the ARQZWA to enhance the national and The ACMA has measures in place over CSIRO is the manager of the Murchison international status of the area for radio the ARQZWA that require potential Radio-astronomy Observatory (MRO), astronomy, and assist in attracting applicants for a radiocommunication known as the MRO Entity. further international investment to the licence to consult with CSIRO to CSIRO acknowledges the Wajarri Yamatji region. determine whether the device will people as the traditional owners of the adversely affect radio astronomy and Under the ACMA measures, radio to consider measures to minimize any MRO site. astronomy is the primary user of interference. spectrum in the central part of the ARQZWA (within 70 km of the MRO). There are also limits on using class- licensed transmitters (such as WiFi or Bluetooth) within 70 km of the MRO. The ARQZWA controls are only as strong as they need to be and restrictions become less stringent further from the MRO and at the higher frequencies. Based on CSIRO’s understanding of current pastoral activities on neighbouring properties to the MRO, the ARQZWA should not have any significant impact on those activities. However, pastoralists are invited to contact CSIRO if there are questions or concerns about any particular activity. More information on the ARQZWA is available in the Frequently Asked Questions section of this factsheet, or by CSIRO’s Murchison Radio-astronomy Observatory, contacting Dr Kate Chow (CSIRO), or the located in the Mid West region of Western ACMA. Australia. The MRO is marked in grey. Frequently Asked Questions

CAN PASTORALISTS IN THE AREA USE CB/ WHERE DO WE NEED TO SHIELD WELDING CAN WE VISIT OUR NEIGHBOURS, THE UHF/VHF/HF RADIO VEHICLE-TO-VEHICLE WORK AND HOW DO WE SHIELD IT? HALLEENS, AT BOOLARDY STATION? AND VEHICLE-TO-BASE? Arc welding activity will be detectable The RQZ will not stop you from visiting Yes, normal pastoral and emergency use by the radio telescopes if the equipment the Halleens at Boolardy Station. of such radios is acceptable. is within 25 km of any of the MRO boundaries. CAN THE WAJARRI YAMATJI PEOPLE VISIT WHERE CAN WE PLAY RADIO? THE MRO WHENEVER THEY WISH? CSIRO requests that you contact Brett You can listen to AM/FM radio (such as a The MRO Indigenous Land Use Hiscock, CSIRO MRO Site Manager, if car radio, stereo radio or portable radio Agreement contains details of the Access you are planning more than a few hours receiver) anywhere outside the MRO. Protocol for Wajarri Yamatji people. of arc welding within 25 km of those WHERE CAN WE TRANSMIT TO SCHOOL OF boundaries. DO MINING COMPANIES NEED SPECIAL THE AIR? PERMISSION FROM ACMA TO INSTALL This will enable CSIRO to plan around REPEATER TOWERS FOR MINING CAMPS? Transmitting to School of the Air from your activity and possibly offer to existing surrounding homesteads is provide additional shielding equipment Under national legislation, equipment acceptable. for your activity. such as repeater towers must be licensed by the ACMA in any region of Australia. WHERE CAN WE USE A MOBILE PHONE? DOES THE RQZ MAKE A DIFFERENCE TO FUTURE SHED DESIGN (THAT IS, OPEN SIDE CSIRO is committed to working with CSIRO requests that you keep your AWAY FROM THE MRO)? commercial and mining companies in the mobile phones turned off in areas where Mid West to develop technical solutions Possibly, depending on where the new there is no mobile phone coverage in the that will enable the satisfactory co- sheds are located. vicinity of the MRO. existence of radio astronomy and mining and rail activity. We also request that you minimise use of CSIRO would welcome the opportunity satellite phones on adjoining properties, to discuss with you your plans for the but use for normal pastoral activity or location and design of any sheds you emergency use is acceptable. wish to erect in future. Note that current homesteads are CAN WE USE A SATELLITE PHONE WHILE DRIVING PAST BOOLARDY STATION? sufficiently far from the MRO that no special precautions are required. In order to maintain the unique radio quiet nature of the MRO site now and CAN I INSTALL ELECTRIC FENCES WITHIN into the future, CSIRO prefers that you THE RQZ? do not use your satellite phone while Electric fences may cause interference driving through Boolardy Station, unless to radio astronomy if they are sited too in an emergency situation. close to radio astronomy receivers. HOW CLOSE TO THE MRO CAN WE CSIRO requests that pastoralists consult MUSTER WITH A MOTORBIKE? with CSIRO regarding any plans to install You can continue your current level of electric fences in the vicinity of the MRO. mustering with a motorbike on your CAN WE VISIT THE MRO ANY TIME TO own property. SEE WHAT’S THERE? OR DO WE NEED PERMISSION FOR CSIRO TO VISIT THE However, we do ask that you contact MRO? Brett Hiscock, CSIRO MRO Site Manager, when you intend to be mustering within The MRO is already the home of some 30 km of the boundary of the MRO. exciting scientific equipment. As the MRO is a ‘work site’ and subject Key Contacts This will enable CSIRO to plan around to Commonwealth Government Dr Kate Chow your activity. occupational health and safety CSIRO SKA Site & Infrastructure restrictions, you will require prior HOW CLOSE TO THE MRO CAN WE t +61 2 9372 4516 permission from CSIRO in order to visit MUSTER WITH A PLANE? e [email protected] the MRO. CSIRO requests that aircraft movements avoid coming within one nautical mile of Please contact Brett Hiscock, MRO Site Brett Hiscock the MRO site if possible. Manager, to discuss opportunities to CSIRO MRO Site Manager visit. t +61 8 9923 7750 e [email protected]

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