Senate Inquiry into PFAS contamination underway in Williamtown

BY LAUREN FREEMANTLE AND JARROD MELMETH

Williamtown residents living in the red zone will have the chance to address an inquiry into the federal government’s management of PFAS contamination in and around defence bases.

More than 50 residents are in attendance at the hearing in Williamtown where residents, action groups, politicians and a former RAAF Base Commander will be given time to speak to the committee panel.

President of the Fullerton Cove Residents Action Group, Lindsay Clout said while it is a step forward it has taken far too long to get here.

"It is just another indication of the disconnected and sloppy approach that has been taken so far. The federal government have not been treating it seriously and they need to get their act together. Today is a huge step for us to give them that information so that they can get their act together," Mr Clout said. 

The inquiry has received 64 submissions from residents and health experts as well as local, state and federal representatives, but only eight people who submitted have been given the opportunity to speak at the hearing. 

Mr Clout said he understands the time constraints on the committee if everyone was invited to speak.

"It is certainly difficult to cater for everyone, so what they have done is provided a cross-section. They have read through the 60-odd submissions and then chosen a mix so that the committee can hear from both our action group and from individuals," Mr Clout said.

In a submission to the inquiry, Williamtown resident, Michelle Sansom said she is "extremely upset" that the land where she grew up and has "an emotional attachment to" is now a contaminated wasteland "due to the carelessness of the RAAF Base." 

Federal Member for Newcastle, Sharon Claydon, who is sitting on the Committee said Williamtown has borne the brunt of the government's inaction  and neglect for too long.

Residents living and working near the Williamtown RAAF base were warned by the New South Wales Environment Protection Authority in September 2015 that elevated levels of toxic chemicals had been found in the surrounding areas. Since this time over 90 PFAS sites have been identified around the country. 

Tuesday's inquiry into PFAS contamination at Williamtown.
Photo: Kate Washington.

Federal Government Williamtown contamination report tabled

BY JARROD MELMETH

A report being tabled by the federal government on the Williamtown Contamination crisis is being labelled as a slap in the face by the opposition.

The report comes as a result of a motion moved jointly by Labor and the Greens in December last year which called on the Turnbull Government to explain what consideration it had given to addressing the contamination crisis.

The Senate motion required the government to release its report on the 5th of February however, the report was given to the president rather than tabled in the Senate, which NSW Greens Senator Lee Rhiannon says only adds to the bad way the people of Williamtown are being treated by the Government.

"Not only is it a day late. The report is totally inadequate. It really is quite arrogant. They have basically just listed key financial organisations they have met with, without releasing recommendations or the substance of the discussion about the key aspects of the motion which required the government to detail the financial impacts of the contamination on the people of Williamtown," Ms Rhiannon said.

Federal Member for Paterson Meryl Swanson has described the government's handling of the motion as "a sign of utter disdain for the people of Williamtown who have suffered through no fault of their own."

The report will be tabled later today.

A property within the Williamtown contamination red zone.

"It's Wicked What They've Done to Us": Kim-Leeanne King on the Government's Non-Response to the Williamtown Contamination

BY JESSICA ROUSE

It's the town residents want to escape from, but they simply can't.

The PFAS contamination of Williamtown, or the red zone, has been plaguing the residents since the scandal was revealed in September 2015.

Kim-Leeanne King is just one of the many who lives along Cabbage Tree Road, one of the areas within the primary contaminated zones from PFAS. It's also the same road of a possible "cancer cluster" after Fairfax revealed at least 24 people who had lived on the road over the past 15 years had been diagnosed with cancer.

The cancer cluster reports were revealed earlier this year and labelled as being "too large to be coincidental" by One Nation Senator Brian Burston.

Kim-Leeanne has seen the effects of cancer firsthand after her father died of bowel cancer in 2005.

"Thyroid and colon cancer are known factors and the fact that my father was eating the vegetables that were grown here, I think that only adds to the worry that the rest of us have now, it's not if we get cancer but when we get it," said Kim-Leeanne.


The 47-year-old mother has always thought something wasn't quite right; her daughter suffers from various allergies and she herself has had a medical scare of her own this year.

The boundary of her property backs onto the heavily contaminated Lake Cochrane, adding to her suspicions about the chemical making her family, and her livestock, sick.

"I am resourceful, so I have done my own research on these chemicals and certainly what we are being told is different to what's happening overseas so we are doing everything that we possibly can. We no longer eat our own vegetables which we used to water with bore water."

Not eating anything grown on properties in Williamtown is one of the precautions laid out in guidelines published by both the Department of Defence and the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA), the precautions though vary. Defence says it's alright to eat some things grown in certain areas, whereas the EPA urge residents not to eat anything grown anywhere within the red zone.

"Don't come in contact with surface water, don't do this, don't do that. I mean they're telling us all there are no known health effects, you're pretty safe, you're this you're that. But if they're telling us all of this why are they putting these precautions out there if they're not worried themselves?"

When it comes to taking precautions, Kim-Leeanne says they don't even let their grandson go outside and play for fear of what the chemicals in the ground may do to his health.

"He can't even go out in the yard and play. How sad is that? And this is Australia. And all the politicians are worried about in Canberra is their dual citizenship and saving their own political lives. It's a disgrace. A national disgrace."

Now Kim-Leeanne is just begging for an escape.

"That's the saddest thing. there's no way out. And then how do you replace what you've spent a lifetime building and doing... and I don't know... even just the sentimental value of things. It's wicked what they've done to us."

Cabbage Tree Road.

Swanson Moves Motion with Greens for Answers on Red Zone

BY JESSICA ROUSE

The Federal Government now has a deadline.

They have until February 6, 2018, to explain what consideration they are giving to the people and business of Williamtown when it comes to their financial situations.

Labor, the Greens and some minor parties have joined forces to put forward a Senate motion condemning the Department of Defence's response to the PFAS contamination saga in the Williamtown red zone, and also calling on the Turnbull government to explain what consideration it has given to addressing any financial impacts on affected businesses and individuals.

The motion was a culmination of work by Greens Senator Lee Rhiannon and Paterson MP Meryl Swanson who has been going in to bat for Williamtown in Canberra since the saga began.

"That's what this motion is about, it's about putting pressure on the government to say you keep telling us that you have a solution, you keep telling us that you have options for the people of Williamtown. That was six months ago, where are these options, we need to know what is going on," said Meryl Swanson.

A solution is yet to be found for the people suffering in the red zone, and Meryl Swanson believes the issue is bigger than politics, it's about people's lives.

"I just really want a scheme that's fair and that is straight forward and that helps people and gives them options. The actuary people, the policy people will be able to develop the details of whatever these things are going to be, but I just want something that's going to look after the people of Williamtown who have already been through enough."

"What they need to do is give a meaningful explanation of what is going on moving forward so when Senator James Magrath, head of the PFAS Taskforce stands up and says we have a plan, we need to know what that plan is," said Meryl Swanson.

Paterson MP Meryl Swanson in Williamtown in May 2017.

Williamtown PFAS Contamination Drop-In Sessions

BY JESSICA ROUSE

Residents living in and around the Williamtown contaimination red zone have the opportunity to go along to information sessions tonight and tomorrow to hear from the Department of Defence.

The information sessions will focus on the findings of the 2017 Environmental Site Assessment and the 2017 Off-Site Human Health Risk Assessment.

The latest report found the maitenance zone, or red zone, now extends to include another 250 properties.

The details for the events are:

Community information presentation: Tuesday 5 December 2017
                                                              at the Murrook Cultural Centre, 2163 Nelson Bay Road,
                                                              Williamtown, 5:30pm - 7:00pm

Community walk-in sessions: Wednesday 6 December 2017
                                                  at the Murrook Cultural Centre, 2163 Nelson Bay Road,
                                                 Williamtown,
                                                 Morning session: 9:00am - 12:00pm
                                                 Afternoon session: 2:00pm - 6:00pm

At the walk-in sessions local residents and businesses will be able to ask questions, one-on-one with Defence and other government department agencies on the report findings.

Port Stephens MP Kate Washington said the information sessions will be quite saddening for many of the residents.

"It's going to be tough news for residents because I think it is going to really be speaking to the potential poor health outcomes that flowed from this contamination. Whilst it won't specifically be about health, it will be about how the contaminants travels to humans."

There are more sessionss planned in the near future, but Kate Washington fears they may not deliver what the community wants.

"We're hearing from defence today that the community meetings coming up are about the conclusion of their assessment of the human health. Now for me that's a little bit concerning. It suggest that there may not be any future testing done, it suggests that this might be the end of the road for Defence's purposes in terms of determinin goutcomes for humans."

Boost to Battlefield Training at Williamtown RAAF Base

BY JESSICA ROUSE

Williamtown RAAF Base is set to benefit from new high-tech equipment to boost battlefield training.

Defence Industry Minister Christopher Pyne has announced $40 million worth of Digital Terminal Control System simulators which will be installed across the country including here at Williamtown, and also in Brisbane, Townsville and Perth.

The simulators give soldiers the ability to replicate live training in a safe, cost-effective and still realistic way.

"These simulators will equip our soldiers with the skills necessary to use the DTCS to coordinate battlefield fire from artillery, mortars, helicopters, naval ships and fighter aircraft," said Defence Industry Minister Christopher Pyne.

"It also provides our personnel with the ability to work with multiple Australian and coalition land, air and sea platforms to engage the enemy."

Delivery of the simulators is planned to start in May next year.

Defence Minister Christopher Pyne visiting Williamtown
earlier this year.

Pollutants found outside Williamtown red zone

BY MICHAEL COOK

The New South Wales environmental watchdog has agreed to reconsider the boundaries of Williamtown's contamination red zone following evidence that firefighting chemicals have been found outside the border.

A couple in Fullerton Cove who live outside the red zone have returned alarming blood test results showing they contained harmful chemicals more than 10 times above the national average for their age.

Residents in the area are bemused after they said they were verbally reassured they should not be alarmed by NSW Environment Protection Authority officials.

NSW Shadow Minister for the Environment, Penny Sharpe says more needs to be done for residents living near the red zone.

"We need to know how far this contamination is impacting on people and the EPA needs to take action," she said.

Contaminated water has been leaking from the RAAF base for years
Source: http://www.news.com.au/technology/environment/williamtown-water-contamination-highlights-dangers-of-pfos-and-pfoa/news-story/90ad98e6fe99fe78641d91a7e9596a3c

Defence Officer in it for the long haul at Williamtown

BY JESSICA ROUSE

Residents in Williamtown are still in the midst of the contamination scandal, with no end in sight just yet.

From Defence's perspective, Australian Senior Defence Officer based at Williamtown, Commodore Craig Heap believes the PFAS taskforce being lead by Senator James Mcgrath under Prime Minister Malcom Turnbull's Government is the best way forward at this stage.

Commodore Heap has been working on the contamination since the beginning and has no plans on stopping until the issue is cleared up.

He says there will eventually be a solution, it's just a matter of finding the best one.

"At the moment I would summarise it as it's been a long journey as I've said. The community is after and wants answers and wants actions from those answers, we're getting through some of them. Are we there yet? No not yet with government but really going into that it's all about state and federal government as you see through the government's taskforce lead by Senator Mcgrath."

Commodore Heap says he's doing everything he can to make sure resident's stories are being heard.

"My role really is to do what I can to get the message from affected members in the community whether its through formal processes like the community reference group or more informal processes where I'm meeting with the affected people in their homes on occasion to actually get the real story and the affects and give them the best information that we can."

Pyne in Williamtown to announce RAAF Base upgrades

BY JESSICA ROUSE

Minister for Defence Industry Christopher Pyne officially announced nearly $600 million worth of funding for upgrades to the E-7A Wedgetail project this morning at Williamtown RAAF Base.

The Wedgetail is considered one of the most advanced pieces of equipment in the RAAF and is used extensively in the Middle East in the military effort against Islamic State.

The funding for upgrades to the Wedgetail will improve its early warning and control capabilities.

Defence Industry Minister Christopher Pyne says our nation's defence is of top priority and we need to keep improving it to keep up with and get ahead, of our opponents.


"It is the most advanced and sophisticated airborne battle management centre in the world today and provides radar, communications, battlefield intelligence to our fighting forces and of course is serving right now in the middle east in Syria and Iraq,"

"We have to keep improving its capabilities and keep upgrading it and keep working out what our opponents might be trying to find in terms of weaknesses in the system, meeting those and then beating them down the track so this investment, this $600 million will mean jobs here at Williamtown, at Amberley and in Brisbane as a part of our ongoing commitment to doing as much of this increase of our capability here in Australia," said Defence Industry Minister Christopher Pyne.

Around 45 jobs will be created at Williamtown for the upgrade.

He says the Government is confident they can meet threats into the future, in addition to the upgrades for Wedgetail, a logistics centre for training, operations and skills was also officially opened today as a part of the Williamtown RAAF base upgrades. A joint strike fighter will be housed there by 2018.

The Government sees the RAAF Base as one of the most significant bases in Australia in terms of defence and will continue upgrading it to ensure it is fit for defence well into the future.

A little noisy over Williamtown!

BY JESSICA ROUSE

Hopefully you didn't panic this morning if you live near Williamtown!

It's been a little noisy with just over 35 aircraft taking to the skies for Exercise Dawn Strike as the newest air warfare instructors return home from Exercise Diamond Storm training exercise.

Exercise Diamond Storm involved ground and air-based activities from the Amberley, Williamtown and Tindal, near Katherine in the Northern Territory RAAF Bases.

Up to 10 aircraft also departed the base to 'defend' the base flying over water 50 kilometres off the mid-north coast.

Image defence.gov.au

Defence housing moving into Thornton

BY JESSICA ROUSE

Five hundred families will soon be calling Maitland home at a new housing development site in Thornton.

Defence Housing Australia is behind the new 511-lot housing development which will provide roughly 250 homes for defence force families based at the Williamtown RAAF Base, and the remaining homes for the general public.

The 58-hectare site will be completed within six stages, with two already complete, and called Wirraway after a training fighter plane and one of the very first squadrons at the Williamtown RAAF base.

Thornton was chosen as the best site for the new development with Development Manager Gully Coote saying the lots available to the public have pretty much sold out and stage three is about to get underway.

"After a lot of looking, and deliberations, Defence determined that the amenities that were available in Thornton and the Maitland area and it's proximity to base; the availability of schools, the future redevelopment of schools, all of that made it a great opportunity for us for out families."

A 'minor victory' for Williamtown residents

BY JESSICA ROUSE

In what has been described as a 'minor victory' for Williamtown residents affected by the contamination 'red zone', Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister James McGrath will visit the region to see the damage for himself.

Senator McGrath confirmed he will visit Williamtown next Wednesday with Paterson MP Meryl Swanson who has been inviting the senator to come for some time.

"He met with me yesterday, and confirmed. I have of course been inviting the senator and encouraging him to come to Williamtown and sit down and meet with Williamtown residents and talk to them about their plight," said Meryl Swanson.

It comes after the federal government set aside $12.5 million over four years for a health study into the affects of chemicals at the RAAF base in this week's budget.

Senator McGrath was appointed the head of the Turnbull government's contamination taskforce and therefore believes it is obviously an important issue.

He says the politics need to be set aside and a solution decided upon.

Image news.com.au

"I'm keen to spend as much time with locals listening to their concerns and I'm happy to come back as many times as possible. The local Labor member Meryl has been fantastic in keeping me informed of what is happening on the ground there," 

"This issue is beyond party politics and its something that we should work together to find out a solution", said Senator McGrath.

Residents of the red zone have welcomed the visit, saying it is the perfect opportunity for the Senator to witness the toll on residents.

RAAF Base Contractor Chaos

BY RACHEL STORER

The RAAF Base at Williamtown is receiving millions worth of upgrades. Image: news.com.au

Close to 20 workers based in Tomago are owed more than five weeks pay after conflicts between infrastructure company Lend Lease and sub-contractor Copal Engineering.

The workers have been fabricating a new hangar to house F-35 Joint Strike Fighters, which is due to be delivered in late 2018 as part of the Williamtown RAAF Base upgrade. Lend Lease won the multi-million dollar contract in 2014 and has used Copal Engineering to sub-contract the fabrication.

The Australian Manufacturing Workers Union (AMWU) has strongly condemned this payroll debacle saying that workers are struggling to make ends meet and support their families.

Both Lend Lease and Copal are playing the "blame game" and the AMWU says even they are unsure as to who has full responsibility.

State Organiser of the AMWU, Cory Wright says that the Department of Defence should have stepped in by now as this project is being leased out by the federal department.

"Realistically the Department of Defence needs to involve themselves in this as it's a major infrastructure project for Australia which has national significance.

[They] need to play a role in ensuring all workers are fairly paid, so we're asking them to intervene as soon as possible to make sure these workers can put food on their tables and pay their bills," Mr Wright said.

Workers and Mr Wright are today picketing the work-site until this fiasco is sorted.

"We'll be picketing the site until we are able to get an outcome and get these workers paid," said Mr Wright.

"Some of these workers are owed up to five weeks pay plus a significant amount of superannuation [from] the last 12 months.

"It's not these workers fault that there's a contractor dispute, they're just caught in the middle and someone needs to act."

Williamtown RAAF Base Upgrade Takes Next Step

BY IAN CROUCH

 The $1.5 billion upgrade of the Williamtown RAAF Base has reached a significant milestone.

The extension of one end of the runway has been finished with a Qantas Link flight to Brisbane the first aircraft to use it yesterday.

The 340 metre extension is needed for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter jets which are due to arrive in 2018.

F-35 Joint Strike Fighter

Kate Washington calling for an Upper House Inquiry into Williamtown Contamination

BY JARROD MELMETH

State Member for Port Stephens Kate Washington is hoping for cross bench support for an upper house inquiry into the Williamtown contamination crisis.

The motion was introduced to parliament yesterday by Shadow Minister for the Environment Penny Sharpe which has seen support from The Greens but has not seen any support from the government.

Kate Washington says she is now discussing possible terms of reference with cross-benchers.

"Hopefully if we can get their support we can have the motion voted on and passed, so that we can get it the inquiry underway as soon as possible."

It has been 11 months since the Williamtown contamination became public.

Port Stephens MP Kate Washington. Photo courtesy
of Facebook.

PFOS testing in Moors Drain at Williamtown RAAF Base

BY JESSICA ROUSE

The NSW Environmental Protection Authority responded to community concerns last month following complaints of visible foam residue surrounding the Williamtown RAAF Base.

New testing results have shown a mystery foam residue in Moors Drain near Nelson Bay Road   appears to have pulled the chemical perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) from the water into the foam, creating a higher concentration of the chemical.

The residue is likely to have been caused by the presence of a foaming agent such as a cleaning detergent.

EPA Regional Director Adam Gilligan says the levels found aren't indicative of PFOS levels in the surrounding environment and no action is necessary at this stage, despite the levels being more than 1280 times the safe level for drinking water in the United States.

"The levels within the foam residue are quite high however it is a very small amount that's concentrated within that foam residue and we're expecting that to dissipate back into the environment."

The defence department will continue to monitor the area and Mr Gilligan says work on strategies to reduce contaminates leaving the base in surface water will also continue.

"What we've found is that water in that vicinity had levels that we would expect within the investigation area of around two micrograms per litre. However the foam residue itself had quite high levels, around 90 micrograms per litre. We're satisfied these levels don't reflect the overall levels in the environment in the area."

MP Calls For Williamtown Election Promises To Be Delivered

BY IAN CROUCH

 Pressure is mounting on the Turnbull government to follow through with its election promises to residents and business owners impacted by the Williamtown RAAF Base contamination.

The government promised to conduct a review of drinking water standards for contaminated land around the RAAF base within 30 days of the election as well as providing blood testing and counselling services for residents.


Federal Member for Paterson, Meryl Swanson says she's written to the Defence and Health Ministers seeking an update.

"Asking them as a matter of urgency what is happening with enHealth safe drinking water levels. They promised that within 30 days they would conduct an independent review of that finding and I asked who is conducting review, how it was going and when would the findings be released within that 30 day promised period.", she said

Meryl Swanson

It comes as a community meeting is set down for tonight from 6.30pm at Hexham Bowling Club where senior advisor to the National Toxics Network, Dr Mariann Lloyd-Smith with discuss the ramifications of contamination from firefighting foam chemicals on ground and surface water.

Dr Lloyd-Smith is a trained negotiator in chemical disputes and has assisted residents with their negotiations over contaminated land.

Dr Mariann Lloyd-Smith

Williamtown RAAF Base Recieving Report on Health Concerns

BY BRIDGET GUNN

The NSW Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has received a draft Human Health Risk Assessment report regarding the heath risks associated with contamination from the Williamtown RAAF Base.

The report should provide the EPA with the information necessary to review the precautionary restrictions and extent of the investigation area that has taken place over the last year.

This information will be used to develop a more effective medical health service for the Williamtown community.

Williamtown RAAF Base
Source: KOFM

Williamtown contamination zone rates relief

BY JARROD MELMETH

A notice of motion has been put forward for tonights council meeting calling upon the General Manager to investigate how Port Stephens Council can give relief to property owners and residents in the Williamtown contamination zones.

Under the Local Government Act 1993 council is not empowered to write-off or reduce rates where ratepayers are experiencing hardship. Under provisions of the Council's Hardship Policy, the preference is to negotiate regular, manageable repayments with ratepayers experiencing financial hardship.

Port Stephens Mayor Bruce Mackenzie said this is an issue that needs to be fixed by the government not ratepayers.

"The federal government should be subsidising rates, guaranteeing loans if people want to sell their property and the potential buyer can't get a financial institution to give them the loan due to the area they are buying in."

Council property records indicate there have been eight completed sales within the investigation area since the announcement, with a total sale value of $3.295M.

Port Stephens Mayor Bruce Mackenzie. Photo courtesy of The Newcastle Herald

Williamtown contamination zone. Photo courtesy of EPA.

68 new jobs for Williamtown RAAF Base

BY JARROD MELMETH

BAE Systems Australia has created 68 new jobs as the Company starts providing operational maintenance to the Royal Australian Air Force's Hawk 127 Lead-In Fighter fleet.

The Hawk 127 is a tandem, two-seat jet, used to prepare the RAAF's fast jet aircrew for the F/A-18 Hornet, F/A-18 Super Hornet and, the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.

The company is directly supporting the training of Australia's next combat aircrew, delivering all Hawk maintenance support on the flight line at the RAAF Base.

Under the new arrangement, BAE Systems is responsible for aircraft launch and recovery, rectifications, life support, stores and mission equipment, on-site management and deployed operations.

Operational maintenance was previously provided by the RAAF's 76 and 79 Squadrons. Transitions to the new arrangement started in October 2015 to ensure seamless change.

A Hawk 127 conducts an aerial display at Williamtown RAAF Base.
Photo courtesy of defence.gov.au