The Australian Government will establish a national coordinating body to respond to the specific needs of communities impacted by per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) around Defence bases.
In 2023, the Government commissioned an independent review into PFAS contamination around three Defence bases: RAAF Base Williamtown in New South Wales, the Army Aviation Centre Oakey in Queensland, and RAAF Base Tindal in the Northern Territory.
The Government has released its response to the Review: agreeing to 18 of the 19 recommendations and noting one.
“For too long, the calls from PFAS-impacted communities have fallen on deaf ears. The Australian Government has heard these calls, and we have taken action in commissioning and responding to this Review to deliver meaningful solutions,” Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Defence Personnel Matt Keogh MP said. “I thank everyone who helped shape the Review. Your individual perspectives and experiences have significantly contributed to the Government’s response.”
The Review calls for immediate action to strengthen coordination and integration across all levels of Government to respond to the impacts of PFAS contamination.
Delivering on a crucial election commitment and directly addressing the concerns raised by local communities, the Australian Government will establish:
- A National Coordinating Body overseen by federal and state ministers to improve management responses to PFAS and guidance to meet the needs of individual communities, and;
- A Williamtown Working Group to inform actions to mitigate PFAS contamination around Williamtown.
“I am confident the PFAS National Coordinating Body and Working Group will deliver a stronger and more integrated whole-of-government response,” Keogh said. “I want to thank Meryl Swanson for her unrelenting advocacy for her community on PFAS contamination.”
Work is underway with the New South Wales Government to establish the Williamtown Working Group, which will implement and oversee pilot initiatives surrounding RAAF Base Williamtown. This will include exploring options to mitigate PFAS contamination and manage the drainage network.
The Australian Government will also work with the New South Wales Government through the National Coordinating Body to review PFAS exposure risks for properties within the RAAF Base Williamtown Primary Management Zone. The Government will develop options for additional meaningful support for impacted properties, and an independent assessor will inform this work.
The Review also identified that credible and up-to-date information about PFAS was not easily accessible to impacted communities. The PFAS National Coordinating Body will help provide practical support and tailored information that is easy to understand for property owners and First Nations communities in affected areas around the country.
“This is an important, meaningful step in the right direction for the Australian Government as we work to better support communities affected by PFAS contamination around Defence bases, including Williamtown and surrounding suburbs,”
“It’s been a long journey for our community. Today’s announcement validates their concerns, and I’m honoured to have been alongside them every step.” Meryl Swanson MP said. As part of the Government’s response to the Review, a central, national PFAS website will provide easy access to the latest PFAS information, advice, and developments.
Communities across Australia have been living with the impacts of PFAS contamination for years, but the former Coalition government failed to listen to them and address their concerns.
The Australian Government is committed to implementing simple, tailored, and impactful measures to specifically address the needs of these communities while also reforming the approach to PFAS at a national level.
Further information about the Review, including the Government response, can be found at PFAS Independent Review | About | Defence.
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