Salt Ash Residents Call for Public School To Be Closed Amid Another PFAS Contamination

BY OLIVIA DILLON

 

Community members are calling for Salt Ash Public School to be closed, after elevated PFAS levels were detected on the playground.

The contamination caused by firefighting foam leaking from the nearby RAAF base previously resulted in the school having to switch from its own water bore to town water back in 2018.

In a notification sent to parents, the Department of Education said it would implement some minor additional measures to reduce the risk to students, staff and visitors, including covering the sandpit on the playground and installing synthetic turf on the premises.

However, residents say it's not enough, arguing the school should be closed, and community blood testing should be introduced to help monitor student exposure. 

 

Image: Salt Ash Public School Facebook Page

Toxic waste to be shipped from Sydney to Newcastle

BY DAKOTA TAIT

Newcastle's PFAS fears have been sparked again, after the State Government announced plans to transport and store 12,000 cubic metres of waste to Mayfield North.

The material's being dug up as part of construction of Sydney's Northern Beaches Link.

The waste is believed to contain lead, mercury, silver, zinc, dioxins, and PFAS.

Newcastle MP Tim Crakanthorp says there's been no community consultation on the decision.

"Given our history with PFAS up this way, it's very insulting," Mr Crakanthorp said.

"There's very little detail on where it's final resting place will be.

"What we do know is that we don't want it."

Around 45 truckloads of the waste is expected to be stored in Newcastle for at least a month after being treated at Middle Harbour.

But Mr Crakanthorp says Newcastle isn't Sydney's dumping ground.

"What really worries is that this government is clearly trying to fly under the radar," Mr Crakanthorp said.

"The people of Newcastle have very strong feelings about this proposal and I'm sure the NSW Government is very aware of this."

Residents Living Near Williamtown PFAS Red Zone Urged To Accept Settlement

BY IAN CROUCH

A Federal Court Justice considering whether the proposed settlement to PFAS-affected residents at Williamtown is fair and reasonable is urging them to accept the offer.

Some residents in the PFAS Red Zone are unhappy with the proposed $86 million settlement, saying the expected $175,000 each is not enough to compensate for their contaminated properties, writing to Justice Michael Lee outlining their concerns.

In a video conference with residents on Thursday, Justice Lee said he was unable to order the government to increase it's offer and it would be in their best interests to accept it, given the high cost and uncertainty of further litigation.

President of the Fulleterton Cove Residents Action Group, Lindsay Clout believes accepting the settlement is the best way forward, and only a small number of residents are agitating for more.

"The concern with most of the residents are, and certainly I am one of those, is that the risk of sending it to court is too great to not accept what's being offered to us at the moment,"he said.

"Going to court could mean many more years of litigation and hundreds of thousands of dollars in costs, and the final settlement  - if we won the case, may not very well yield anywhere near the returns that we've been offered right at the moment," Mr Clout said.

Fullerton Cove Residents Action Group President Lindsay Clout Picture: Port Stephens Examiner

 

Government Agrees To Settle Class Action Claims Over PFAS Contamination At Williamtown

BY IAN CROUCH

It's the beginning of the end of a five year battle by residents living near the Williamtown RAAF base to address the health and environmental impacts from chemicals which leeched into groundwater from firefighting foam used for many years at the defence facility.

Late on Wednesday night an in-principal agreement was reached and a confidential settlement was being finalised for three Federal Court class actions involving residents from Williamtown in NSW, Oakey in Queensland and Katherine in the Northern Territory. It comes after their properties were rendered worthless and unproductive by the contamination.

The breakthrough followed two days of intense negotiations during mediation talks between legal counsel for the residents and the Defence Department.

The talks were being viewed as the last opportunity to reach a settlement before the class actions were to be heard in the Federal Court in April and follows previous unsuccessful attempts where the parties could not reach agreement.

Defence Minister Linda Reynolds and Defence Personnel Minister Darren Chester released a joint statement on Wednesday night say the Government remains committed to engaging with those impacted by PFAS contamination.

"Reaching a settlement is not the end of Defence's engagement in these communities, however, it does represent an important milestone on what has been a difficult journey for many people over the past few years." they said.

Paterson Mp Meryl Swanson has also welcomed the breakthrough, congratulating the community after their hard-fought battle for compensation.

"I just felt so proud of my community and what they've been through. They've been to hell and back - they've been so courageous, they've been smart, and this agreement last night is the first step in what has been a terrible journey for them." she said.

One of many signs erected by frustrated residents impacted by the PFAS contamination 

Labor Promise For Williamtown Red Zone Residents Expected To Fall Short

BY IAN CROUCH

Residents living in the Williamtown red zone are being warned not to expect too much from today's announcement by federal Labor.

Shadow defence minister, Richard Marles is expected to commit a future Shorten government to further and quicker research and testing on the impact of PFAS chemicals as well as a nationwide ban on the substance.

He's also expected to announce federal Labor will pick up the $10 million commitment promised by the their state counterparts if they won the March election,  to clean local drains.

But no money will be promised to compensate residents for having their land contaminated.

The Morrison government has also refused to commit funding towards compensation and property buybacks.

However, federal Paterson candidates representing the Greens, One Nation and the United Australia Parties have committed to fight for compensation if elected on Saturday.

Shadow Defence Minister Richard Marles

Libs And Christian Democrats 'No Show' At Williamtown Forum

BY IAN CROUCH

Williamtown residents affected by PFAS contamination have again vented their anger during a candidate forum last night.

Candidates were quizzed on what they would do to address the crisis.

The candidates representing the Greens, One Nation and the United Australia Party committed to fight for compensation if elected.

However, sitting Labor MP, Meryl Swanson refused to commit to financial assistance but confirmed a number of other measures will be announced on Thursday.

Than candidates for Liberal Party and the Christian Democrats did not attend the forum.
 
Liberal hopeful, Sachin Joshi emailed the forum on Monday morning to advise he was unable to attend due to previous campaign commitments.

Candidates for the federal seat of Paterson at last night's forum Picture: theherald.com.au

No Compensation Money For Williamtown PFAS Victims

BY IAN CROUCH

Williamtown residents affected by PFAS contamination are furious after the Defence Department admitted there's been no money put aside to pay compensation.

Instead, $53 million has been allocated to a fighting fund for legal fees to defend six matters including 3 class action lawsuits.

The revelation has angered Coalition Against PFAS President, Lindsay Clout who says Defence is continuing to deny, deflect and distract while residents suffer.

Senate estimates has been told Defence has allocated $205 million for PFAS investigations at 27 sites which will produce management plans to inform and advise on remediation strategies.

One of many signs erected by angry Williamtown residents over the PFAS crisis

Greens Commit to PFAS Recommendations

BY MADELAINE MCNEILL

The Greens have committed to implementing all nine recommendations made in the Parliamentary Inquiry into the management of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination in and around Defence bases.

This would include providing a long-fought-for compensation and buy-back scheme for Williamtown residents suffering due to the toxic chemical's presence on their land and in nearby waterways.

Federal Greens candidate for Newcastle, Cr John Mackenzie, said his party is calling on local candidates to match their commitment.

"We've committed and we're calling on all candidates from Newcastle and Paterson to make the same commitment to the immediate implementation of those recommendations," said Cr Mackenzie.

"That means appointing a coordinator-general to make sure the process is handled at arm's length from government, it means establishing immediately a compensation scheme which can include buy-backs for residents who are no longer in a position to sell their properties and no longer in a position to stay where they are,"

"And it includes making sure that we continue the voluntary blood testing programs to get an understanding of the long-term health impacts and that we have individual case management for people that are dealing with the risks of PFAS contamination on a day-to-day basis."

To date, neither major party has committed to a compensation or buy-back scheme.

Last month in an Australian first, the Morrison government settled a lawsuit for PFAS exposure with a retired military doctor living next door to the Army Aviation Base at Oakey in Queensland.

The settlement left Williamtown residents puzzled, with Coalition Against PFAS co-founder and President Lindsay Clout telling 2nurfm it sent mixed messages to his fellow residents.

"The positive that I take from it is at long last we've set a precedent that people living on contaminated land need to be compensated, and that's certainly happening," said Mr Clout.

"Defence had the opportunity late last year to settle a class action for 450 people in the Williamtown area and walked away from it, so I'm a little puzzled as to why one person getting a result is so important when they had the opportunity to solve it for all of us."

Image: ABC

Coalition Commits to Williamtown Special Activation Precinct

BY ELISE AKSNES

A promise from the state government to designate Williamtown as a Special Activation Precinct (SAP) could offer assistance to residents and business impacted by PFAS contamination.

Port Stephens Liberal candidate Jaimie Abbott says she will work with the State Government, Newcastle Airport and Port Stephens Council to establish a SAP and address necessary PFAS remediation work.

The designation would mean Williamtown would be identified by the state government as an area where businesses could thrive.

Jaimie Abbott said the precinct could make way for property buybacks which residents have spent years calling for.

"This provides the framework for the federal government to come in and acquire the properties who've been affected by PFAS," said Ms Abbott.

"Businesses will be able to have development approvals approved faster and they'll also be able to receive financial incentive to set up shop in the Williamtown Special Activation Precinct."

The announcement follows a $20 million dollar commitment from both federal and state levels of the Labor party, which promises to ban PFAS and fund a clean-up of drain systems.

Jaimie Abbott said if the state government is re-elected the necessary scoping studies will take place to develop a business case for the Williamtown SAP.

"This Government is serious about attracting businesses and jobs to the Port Stephens region. SAP status will offer essential infrastructure and streamlined planning processes for industries and sectors responsible for driving significant growth," said Ms Abbott.

Jaimie Abbott says the Williamtown Special Activation Precinct will provide more opportunities with industries beyond defence, including health and residential care, tertiary education and skills, renewable energy and tourism and hospitality.

Mayor Ryan Palmer said the SAP could include an update of the Newcastle Airport runway and terminal, an extension of the M1 to Raymond Terrace and enhance road links to the airport and the port of Newcastle.

"The SAP will provide an immense benefit to our region, and I welcome any steps towards implementing such a precinct at Williamtown," said Mr Palmer.

Williamtown. Image: News Corp

Labor to Commit $20 Million for PFAS Clean Up

BY ALICE PEART

NSW Labor has announced their policy in conjunction with federal Labor funding for the management of PFAS contaminated sites at Williamtown today.

The state and federal opposition governments have promised to contribute $10 million each for a new Drain Mangement Plan in Williamtown, Salt Ash, and Fullerton Cove.

The plan focuses on the removal of soil from contaminated drain sites responsible for leaking PFAS into an affected area up to 50km wide.

PFAS are toxic chemicals from firefighting foam used on defense bases across the country for more than 30 years which remain in the soil and groundwater of the affected areas.

The plan unveiled today further pledged to ban PFAS chemicals in NSW, create a state Response Plan, and appoint an NSW PFAS Response Coordinator to oversee all state operations on the contaminated sites.

Labor's national PFAS policy was not announced, details will be released before the next federal election.

Photo by Alice Peart/2NURFM 

Water Bill Win For Salt Ash Public School

BY IAN CROUCH

Parents and teachers of Salt Ash Public School are breathing a sigh of relief after the Education Department came to their rescue over a massive water bill.

The school was connected to town water in the wake of the PFAS scandal, and while the Defence Department had agree to pay the water bills of affected residents and businesses, they refused to extend the same offer to Salt Ash Public.

The Education Department has now agreed to reimburse the school for the shock $6,000 bill and has agreed to pay future water bills from state funds.

Port Stephens MP, Kate Washington raised the plight of the school earlier this week, writing to the Defence Department urging them to add the school's water bills to the residential water bills they are already paying.

"While the school getting their local budget reimbursed by the NSW Education Department is a welcome win for local families, the bill should ultimately be paid by the Department of Defence whose contamination of the local bore water has caused this issue," she said

Port Stephens Mp, Kate Washington speaks to parents about the shock water bill. Picture: theherald.com.au

New Council Funding For PFAS Contamination

BY HOLLIE HUGHES and SANZIANA TIMIS

Hunter Council's with land contaminated by PFAS are encouraged to apply for grants and support allocated by the Regional Capacity Building Program.

The program is providing $1.4 Million in funding and ten officers from the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) shared between council's with land contaminated by PFAS.

The funding and support aims to assist in securing community welfare through the development of contaminated land policies and workshops for council staff to better identify and manage contaminated sites.

Parlimentary Secretary for the Hunter Scot MacDonald says, "the program will provide added expertise to help council's manage contamination and safeguard community wellbeing."

Additionally, through this program the EPA will work closely with local council's to manage the handover of responsibilites for Underground Petroleum Storage Systems.

Scot MacDonald says the program will provide,"expertise to manage a very complex process of contaminated land."

Applications for the Building Program grants are now open to regional organisations of councils or groups of three or more regional councils.

The New South Wales EPA is offerring all eligible applicants up to ten hours of assistance to develop their application.

Council's can apply for the Regional Capacity Building Program through the EPA website with applications closing July 17th.

Image sourced: http://www.enviropacific.com.au/enviropacific-waste-services-manage-nsw-epa-levy-increase/

Maitland Farmers Not Happy With EPA Response: PFAS

BY KYLE CARROLL

The NSW Labor Opposition is demanding answers from the NSW Government, after testing of Maitland's Stony Creek and Swap Creek showed chemical concentrations of PFAS.

Originating from the Truegrain waste oil processing facility at Rutherford, which was stripped of its environmental protection licence in 2016 by the NSW Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), there are concerns that no testing was carried out after this leading to the disaster today.

Shadow Environment Minister, Penny Sharpe cannot believe that testing was not carried out. 

"It beggars belief that the Government appears to have failed to adequately investigate the site at Rutherford, even after its environment protection licence was suspended and while the Williamtown scandal was at the top of everyone's minds."

Residents near the Rutherford site have now been told to avoid using the contaminated water for domestic or livestock use.

Michelle Viola, a beef farmer whos property runs along Fishery Creek, is confused by the guidelines handed down by the EPA, which recommends not eating home slaughtered meat, but is allowing her to continue selling it.

"It's a moral dilemma. How can we put stuff out on the market that we are not recommended to eat ourselves?" she continued.

"If the guidelines had of been handed down sooner, we could have prevented livestock accessing the water."

Ms Viola is calling for the state government to do more to ensure quality control.

"I'm asking that a temporary fence is supplied to prevent the cattle from accessing the creek, and I also want testing for our cattle so I can sell them without any concerns for health," she said. 

Member for Maitland, Jenny Atichson believes the communication needs to improve.

"The Government needs to provide the community with everything it knows, and do it now."

Hazmat crews inspect the Trugain facility in 2017. Image: Maitland Mercury. 

PFAS Inquiry to Examine Financial Impacts

BY MADELAINE MCNEILL AND LAUREN FREEMANTLE

A parliamentary inquiry into the government's handling of PFAS contamination will review the financial impacts contamination has had on people affected by the substances.

The Joint Standing Committee of Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade will inquire into the extent of PFAS contamination in and around defence bases across the country and will examine the response of government agencies.

Labor ordered the inquiry in December last year and following a referral from the Senate, the inquiry will be conducted by the PFAS Sub-Comittee.

Following a recommendation from Paterson MP Meryl Swanson, the terms of reference for the inquiry also include a review of the consideration given to understanding and assessing the financial impacts of PFAS contamination.

Meryl Swanson is now encouraging locals to make submissions to the inquiry, emphasising the opportunity to bring the inquiry to Williamtown and have local stories heard.

"Even if it is a handwritten, one or two sentence letter, please submit to the inquiry," said Meryl Swanson.

"It is absolutely vital that we get as many submissions as we can to this inquiry, in the hope that we may be able to have a hearing in Williamtown."

The inquiry is open for submissions until July 6th and information on how to lodge a submission can be found here.

A federal parliamentary inquiry into PFAS contamination management has begun. Image: ABC

Meanwhile,

The EPA has released precautionary advice for those residents living near the Hunter Valley's Stony, Fishery and Wallis creeks.

It comes after PFAS chemicals were discovered in the water following heavy rainfall early this year.

Those near Stony Creek should avoid eating eggs and refrain from drinking milk, while residents near Fishery Creek are advised not to eat home-slaughtered livestock.

Current government health findings conclude there is no evidence to suggest exposure to PFAS leads to an increase in overall health risk, however it hasn't been ruled out.

Williamtown Residents Disappointed with Council's "window dressing" Rate Relief

BY MADELAINE MCNEILL

Residents of Williamtown's red zone are disappointed with Port Stephens Council's proposed rate relief, with Fullerton Cove Residents Action Group President Lindsay Clout labelling the move a "window dressing exercise."

The relief would see rates reduced by up to 50% for residents of the red zone, with the cost balanced by a small increase for remaining ratepayers. The proposed changes have left some residents concerned Council is simply shifting the cost instead of fixing the problem.

Lindsay Clout says Council should be challenging the Department of Defence over the issue.

"Are they really trying to help us? If they were, they'd be standing beside us and demanding Defence clean up this contamination," said Lindsay Clout.

"That's what we want."

Council admits the move won't solve everything and says the rate reduction is a way for them to help at a local level, but residents aren't satisfied enough is being done.

"We're still being contaminated, people are sick, people can't move out because land prices have collapsed," said Lindsay Clout.

"And to think that a small percentage rate reduction is going to fix the problem (is) nonsense."

Williamtown residents aren't satisfied with proposed rate relief. Image: ABC.

Sand mine approval hurts "rock-bottom" residents: Williamtown

BY LAUREN FREEMANTLE

A controversial sand mine has been approved at Williamtown, causing further heartache for residents.

The approval came after the Planning Assessment Commission found no evidence the mine on Cabbage Tree Road will further the spread of PFAS chemicals.

The proposed mine will be adjacent to Rhianna and Cain Gorfine's property, which is in the middle of the contamination red zone.

It comes just days after the federal government walked away from plans to buy-back affected properties, instead spending millions on defence for Williamtown defence capabilities.

Port Stephens MP Kate Washington says it's a cruel blow for residents whose properties have already been rendered worthless by the contamination scandal.

"Their home values are pretty rock-bottom already," Ms Washington said, "and because of that, unlike any other development that's approved across this state, those residents can't leave [Cabbage Tree Road] if they wanted to.

"If they don't like the sand trucks, if they don't like the noise and dust to come out of that sand mine, they can't even move away.

"This is such a cruel decision," she asserted.

The MP issued a plea to the Prime Minister to reconsider his position on property buy-backs.

"Malcolm Turnbull has the power to restore a future to these people's lives," Ms Washington concluded.

News of the $4.7 million sand mine also follows Monday's release of the Expert Health Panel report, which downplays the impact of PFAS chemicals on human health.

Paterson MP Meryl Swanson gave a speech in federal parliament today, decrying the report's findings.

"I stand here today to register on the parliamentary record my utter disgust with the Turnbull government's continued treatment of my constituents," she said.

"...I wish this house to know that I am angered at the timing of the report's release, the method of its release, and I am gravely concerned by its contents."

Ms Swanson called on the Department of Health to further examine a link between PFAS and cancer which has been made abundantly clear by a Fairfax study unearthing a cancer cluster of 50 people living along Cabbage Tree Road.

"The Expert Panel's assessment itself acknowledged there is a relationship between PFAS exposure and indicators of immune response.

"This demands an exhaustive study into any relationship between immune dysfunction and cancer."

Image: The Herald. 

Department of Health deny cancer link: PFAS report

BY LAUREN FREEMANTLE

The Department of Health has today released its submission from the Expert Health Panel into PFAS contamination.

The study found there are health effects connected to PFAS foams, such as increased cholesterol and uric acid in the blood; lower birth weight in babies; reduced kidney function; changes in thyroid and sex hormones; later starting age for menstruation in girls; or early menopause.

However, the report also stated the "health effect" reported in high-exposure areas such as Williamtown's Cabbage Tree Road is "within normal ranges," concluding there's "limited to no evidence" linking human disease to higher exposure.

"There is no current evidence that supports a large impact on a person’s health as a result of high levels of PFAS exposure," the report said.

Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) chemicals have been contained in firefighting foams widely used throughout Australia since the 1970s because they are highly effective at combating liquid fuel fires.

However the chemicals do not break down easily, can enter groundwater or travel long distances through soil.

Williamtown Residents feel the Federal Government has failed them. Image: ABC. 

An investigation by Fairfax last year concluded there have been 50 cases of cancer in just 15 years for residents living on Cabbage Tree Road, which is located near open drains seeping run-off from the Williamtown RAAF base.

However, evidence of a "cancer cluster" along Cabbage Tree Road was dismissed by NSW Health in February 2018 to the ire of Labor MPs who pointed out the study had "skewed the results" by including residents living outside the Williamtown Red Zone, as far out as Karuah.

18 out of the 50 cancer cases reported by Fairfax had been left out of the report.

In November 2017, the Expert Health Panel was established to inform the Federal Government on a $12.5 million further National Research Program into the effects of PFAS exposure.

Paterson MP, Meryl Swanson earlier this month criticised the Panel's late delivery, saying the report was over 60 days late.

She accused Health Minister Greg Hunt of "sitting on the findings."

The Department of Defence is facing class actions from cancer-affected Williamtown residents and those 500 people suing the government in Oakey, Queensland.

Meanwhile, NSW based firm, Shine Lawyers is conducting investigations into PFAS contamination in the Northern Territory's Katherine area and looks set to launch a class action too.

It comes as Port Stephens MP Kate Washington renews her plea for NSW Premier Berejiklian to ban PFAS firefighting foams which have contaminated properties at Williamtown, after reports the South Australian government has followed in the footsteps of Queensland and issued a ban.

For a summary of the report head to the Department of Health website.

Ongoing Issue: Meryl Swanson addresses media in Williamtown last year to decry the situation.