Вот пожaлуйстa, нeожидaнноe - рядом. Для спрaвок Fishermens Bend дaжe нe тaк дaлeко, кaк журнaлисты нeдaвно помeщaли мифичeскую AЭС, это просто нa другом бeрeгу Ярры, от сити 5 мин, в рaйонe промзоны портa, доков. Teпeрь Meльбурну eсть чeм гордиться, конeчно нe ядeрный рeaктор срeди жилыx домов, кaк в Сиднee, но всe xлeб.
С бaкпривeтом
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Secret lab tests deadly weapons
By ANDREW PROBYN
07aug01
A TOP secret Melbourne laboratory will be used to test lethal biological weapons, including bubonic plague and anthrax.
The mysterious Aeronautical and Maritime Research Laboratory in Fishermens Bend has been used to test deadly toxins since 1994.
But the Defence Department has decided to allow research into reproducing micro-organisms such as anthrax and bubonic plague because of the Gulf War experience.
A Government document seen by the Herald Sun reveals AMRL "contributed to the biological defence/detection aspects of the security arrangements for the Sydney 2000 Olympics".
The document shows a decision to upgrade AMRL's research capabilities was made in August 1998 because Australia could not trade sufficient information on killer biological weapons with the US or Britain.
"The policy change was made because DSTO was not well placed to advise the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in its work to limit and eliminate biological weapons," the documents states.
"In addition, DSTO could neither obtain the benefits arising from the exchange of scientific data with our allies in this area nor develop technologies to protect members of the Australian Defence Force against use of biological weapons."
DSTO is the Defence Science and Technology Organisation, which oversees work at AMRL in Fishermens Bend.
According to the Government document, the DSTO will build a "containment laboratory" within AMRL.
"Facilities designed to this level protect staff against the danger of exposure to micro-organisms such as plague and anthrax," the document says.
A spokesman for Defence Minister Peter Reith said the upgraded laboratory would be finished within two to three years to research Level 3 micro-organisms.
Level 3 organisms are defined as being of high risk to individuals but of low risk to communities, unlike the ebola virus, which is given the highest rank of Level 4.
Mr Reith's spokesman said the presence of chemical agents in the desert during the Gulf War had led to a renewed interest in germ warfare.
AMRL is charged with enhancing the security of the ADF through advances in science and technology.
The laboratory develops defence capability for aircraft, ships, submarines and weapons systems.
