From a pilot perspective it is easier to check status now, and at least airspaces are not being left active H24 as they were, which in itself discouraged flight planning or attempting to get a clearance through.
Sounds like the NOTAM management within Airservices needs looking at though.
BN centre can not accept airspace releases due to the wonderful alphabet airspace system (when MIL airspace is NOTAMd active it is class C - the same airspace when deact is a mix of C, E and G, my understanding is that BN centre are not permitted to control C class where they would normally provide E or G).
I don't know why that would be the case, because ML CEN takes Woomera airspace releases, and they provide the service applicable to the airspace i.e. G E or A.
To quote from one NOTAM:
E) R240 ACT
AIRSPACE MAY BE RELEASED TO MELBOURNE CENTRE FOR VARYING PERIODS.
ACFT OPERATING IN THE AIRSPACE DRG THESE PERIODS WILL BE PROVIDED
WITH A SERVICE APPLICABLE TO THE CLASS OF AIRSPACE (G, E OR A).
STATUS OF AIRSPACE MAY BE OBTAINED FM MELBOURNE CEN FREQ 122.0
FOR TEL 03 9235 7492.