I have never ever been told by an ATC at Williamtown not to take photographs.
Hmmmm - well you probably should have been, Dick!
My understanding is that you are prohibited from taking pics at any military base. Certainly there are signs to that effect around the Townsville airport. Once upon a time people used to line the fence on Ingham Rd to take pics of the Hornets when they were in town. Try that now and the RAAF Police will put the skids under you quick-smart!
DEFENCE ACT 1903 - SECT 82
Sketching etc. of fortifications prohibited
(1) If:
(a) a person makes a sketch, drawing, photograph, picture or painting of any defence installation in Australia or of any part of one; and
(b) the person has no lawful authority to do so;
then:
(c) the person is guilty of an offence; and
(d) all sketches, drawings, photographs, pictures, and paintings, and all tools and all materials or apparatus for sketching, drawing, photographing or painting found in his or her possession are forfeited and may be destroyed, sold, or otherwise disposed of, as the Governor-General directs.
(1A) The maximum penalty for an offence under subsection (1) is a fine of $200, imprisonment for 6 months, or both.
(2) If:
(a) a person enters or approaches any defence installation with sketching, drawing, photographing, or painting materials or apparatus in his or her possession; and
(b) the person has no lawful authority for that conduct; and
(c) the person intends to contravene subsection (1);
then:
(d) the person is guilty of an offence; and
(e) all tools and all materials or apparatus for sketching, drawing, photographing or painting found in his or her possession are forfeited and may be destroyed, sold, or otherwise disposed of, as the Governor-General directs.
(2A) The maximum penalty for an offence under subsection (2) is a fine of $100.