Group Captain Mick Brown Director - In Service Support Joint Strike Fighter Division

1. F-35A ‘Lightning II’Australia’s Next Generation Air Combat Aircraft Williamtown Consultative Forum – 24 April 2015 Group Captain Mick BrownDirector - In Service SupportJoint Strike Fighter Division

2. 29 September 2014 - Australia’s first F‑35A aircraft, AU-1, completed its inaugural flight in Fort Worth, which lasted approximately two hours December 2014 - Australia’s first two JSF aircraft were delivered to the International Pilot Training Centre at Luke Air Force Base, Phoenix, Arizona January 2015 - Australia’s first F-35 pilot commenced F-35A training with the United States Air Force at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida 19 March 2015 - Australia’s first F-35 pilot undertook his first flight in an F-35A at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, United States NACC Achievements

3. 2015 – Commence construction of facilities at Williamtown Mid 2015 –Department of Environment decision on Final EIS Mid 2018 – Stand up maintenance training at Williamtown 2018/19 – Proposed next 12 aircraft delivered in the US for pilot training Dec 2018 – First two aircraft fly to Australia 2020 – First operational squadron and training squadron at Williamtown 2021 – Second operational squadron at Williamtown NACC Schedule

4. Environmental Impact Statement Schedule Development of Supplementary Report to the Draft EIS Dept of Environment Consideration of Final EIS – 40 business days Submission of Final EIS (comprised of Draft EIS and Supplementary Report) to Dept of Environment on 30 March 2015. Public release via project website (www.f35evolution.com.ua on 31 March 2015. Presentation of Proposed Approval Decision Comment on Proposed Approval Decision Ministerial Consideration Release of Approval Decision, including what conditions, if any, are to be imposed. Release via project website and Dept of Environment website.

5. Public Submissions 53 submissions on the Draft EIS were received in total 44 from the general public. 5 from government agencies 2 from non-government organisations 2 from industry The majority of the submissions (70%) were associated with RAAF Base Williamtown or Salt Ash Air Weapons Range (SAAWR) From the 53 submissions received a total of 483 individual comments (remarks, observations, criticisms or questions) were identified Approximately one third of submissions were concerned with the potential impacts of noise emissions from the proposed flying operations of the F‑35A aircraft

6. EIS Supplementary Report All public comments and submissions made on the Draft EIS have been considered in the Supplementary Report to the Draft EIS All public comments have been forwarded to the Department of the Environment as part of the Final EIS submission process The Supplementary Report has been published online at www.f35evolution.com.au The Supplementary Report is available to view at selected venues around Australia until June 17

7. Major Issues addressed in the Supplementary Report The Supplementary Report highlights steps being taken to address community concerns raised in public submissions, including: Implementation of an Aircraft Noise Management System Establishment of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Aircraft Noise Ombudsman Introduction of new noise abatement procedures for RAAF Base Williamtown in October 2014 Conduct of additional noise assessments at child care centres on RAAF Base Williamtown, RAAF Base Darwin and RAAF Base Amberley Investigation of engineering options to reduce the exposure of children on RAAF bases to aircraft noise

8. Major Issues addressed in the Supplementary Report (continued) Commitment to provide updated noise information for the F-35A aircraft as it becomes available, particularly information on the noise from cannons Continued publication of noise and flight path monitoring data on the Defence Aircraft Noise website Commitment to maintain and continue to participate in forums for community consultation such as the Williamtown Advisory Group

9. Local Display Locations The Final EIS is on display at the following local display locations: Office of Environment and Heritage 117 Bull Street, Newcastle West Port Stephens Council 116 Adelaide Street (Old Pacific Highway), Raymond Terrace Newcastle City Council City Administration Centre, 282 King Street, Newcastle A limited number of DVD copies of the Final EIS are available to the public at no cost from the display locations

10. Report Consideration The Minister for the Environment has 40 business days from receipt of the report in which to decide whether or not to approve the proposed F-35A flying operations During this period, the Department of the Environment will review the Final EIS and provide a recommendation report to the Minister DMO and DSRG will continue to engage the Department of the Environment to assist in the review process and provide further advice The Minister for the Environment is required to invite comment on his proposed decision and any proposed conditions from other relevant Ministers and the proponent The Minister may decide to publish his proposed decision on the Internet and invite public comment

11. EIS Finalisation When the Minister for the Environment has finalised his approval decision, it will be published on the Department of the Environment’s EPBC Act Public Notices website at http://www.environment.gov.au/epbc/public-notices Defence will also publish relevant documentation on the approval decision at www.f35evolution.com.au Following receipt and consideration of any approval conditions, Defence intends to conduct public information sessions on the outcomes of the EIS process. This will likely occur in July 2015