In response to queries and complaints from the Seymour and district community, a department spokesperson said increased humidity and low cloud cover due to recent rain events had intensified the effects of the explosions.
Sarah Locke said the recent explosions were shaking the foundation of her home in central Seymour.
“The bombing has become more intense than I’ve ever known it. My windows rattle so hard that I’m waiting for them to break,” she said.
“The reverberation is excessive. I can’t even imagine what the families at Puckapunyal have to put up with.
“I was 80 kilometres away from Puckapunyal just north of Euroa where I grew up and I was able to feel and hear the impact of the bombs."
Sarah said she was concerned the explosions would be a deterrent for people looking at property in Seymour.
“I think it’s time the powers that be at Puckapunyal review some of their activities. The local community Facebook page is rife with the frustration and fury at random loud banging, house shaking and reverberation,” she said.
“I don’t care if you put a regular notice in the paper about the upcoming activities, you are blasting explosions in one of the most densely populated states and I for one don’t like it.
“I think you are heading for a community campaign if the momentum on Facebook is anything to go by. Enough is enough.”
A Department of Defence spokesperson confirmed that all training currently being conducted at Puckapunyal training area is similar to, but not larger than, previous years.
“The army traditionally conducts the course earlier in the year when the skies are clearer and the atmospheric conditions are more favourable, however due to COVID-19 the army was required to delay the course,” the spokesperson said.
“These activities are part of regular, scheduled training and are designed to ensure the ADF’s high-readiness contingency forces are operating at the highest level of capability to respond where required to support Australia’s national interests.
“Defence acknowledges these activities may result in noise disturbance and thanks the community for their understanding.
“In the event properties are believed to have been damaged by defence training activities at Puckapunyal, we recommend homeowners contact their insurer.”
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