"We're being abandoned": Williamtown Contamination Saga Sees No End

BY JESSICA ROUSE

"We're being abandoned."

It's how residents living in the Williamtown red zone feel after the Department of Defence came to give them yet another map of the contaminated area and revised guidelines on how to deal with it.

More than 250 residents packed into the Murrook Cultural Centre last night to see an updated Human Health Risk Assessment from Defence including a new map with four colour-coded risk zones, which appears different to the one issued by the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) just two weeks ago.

The risk assessment aimed to assess the potential human health risks of exposure to PFAS impacted soil, groundwater, surface water, sediment, seafood, and others.

The four risk zones carry varying levels of contamination. Defence also issued its own set of precautionary guidelines for each of the zones. In the risk assessment, Defence advises residents to follow the precautions to "minimise their exposure to PFAS pending further information becoming available."

But it's feeling like too little too late for residents who are begging for an escape.

Lindsay Clout, the President of the Fullerton Cove Residents Action group believes the meeting last night was a joke.

"Make no mistake what happened last night was the Department of Defence walking away from the responsibility of this contamination. They spent two hours last night telling us that we, the community, now have to manage the impacts of this contamination."

"It's more of the same, which is nothing. I mean, the Department of Defence must have the biggest mirror in the country because pretty well every question that was asked of them last night their response was 'we will look into it'," said Lindsay.

Department of Defence representatives admitted no human blood tests were included in the data they collected to create their map of the contamination zone, adding to the frustration of residents.

"[Port Stephens MP] Kate Washington asked the question 'was there any blood testing results included in the construction of the map' and the answer was no. And she asked 'how is it a human health risk assessment can be presented without human health results?' And the disturbing thing is that defence didn't even understand the question," said Lindsay.

Lindsay couldn't believe the incompetence he witnessed at last night's meeting particularly when it came to Defence's list of guidelines for residents.

"But the paradox of the whole issue is, Defence keep putting out this statement that there are no known health impacts from the chemical, yet they're telling us don't eat your eggs, don't grow your vegetables in the contaminated area, don't drink the bore water, you have to be cautious with this, you have to be cautious with that,"

"And then they tell us well it shouldn't really matter because there are no known health impacts from it. It's just out of control."

EPA v. Department of Defence

In early November, the red zone was expanded to include another 250 properties in Fullerton Cove and Salt Ash.

The EPA's map and report were based on the same data as Defence's map but they instead divide the area up into three zones. In one zone, the risk is high and strict restrictions are in place and in the two other zones contamination is either confirmed or potentially present and those have less strict precautions.

"The Defence risk assessment provides people with some background to the science and the data but we recommend that people focus on the EPA map which provides them with all of the information that they need to follow the precautions and keep themselves safe on their properties," said Northern Region Director of the EPA Adam Gilligan.

Environment Protection Authority map fo the contaminated zone.

Department of Defence map of the contaminated red zone.

There are differing precautions listed between Defence and the EPA. For instance according to Defence eating home-grown fruit and vegetables is acceptable in some areas, but according to the EPA guidelines, all residents are advised not to eat anything grown on their properties.

Adam Gilligan said they understand the horrible time residents are having and want to help holding numerous drop-in sessions, and are happy to meet with residents one-on-one.

He adds now it's also time to move into an ongoing management phase at the site because the contamination isn't going anywhere anytime soon.

"So we are continuing to work with Defence to get more done to stop contamination leaving the base first and foremost and also do ongoing monitoring to make sure that we continue to assess the levels of contamination in the environment."

The EPA was at two information sessions being held today in Williamtown, and will be at Salt Ash Primary School tomorrow from 3:30pm until 6pm for any residents who couldn't go along today.

The EPA's findings and advice can be found here.

The summary of the Department of Defence's risk assessment can be found here.

In the end, Lindsay said it's all infuriated him even further and he doesn't know who to believe.

"Well, in my opinion, none of it. The only person I believe has any credibility on this issue at all is Professor Mary O'Kane, NSW Chief Scientist but they don't seem to be listening to her."

 "I just despair at where we're going, we're being abandoned, and now we're being given the responsibility to deal with contamination."

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."

Lake Macquarie combatting land contamination

BY MICHAEL COOK

After accommodating the Pasminco Cockle Creek Lead Smelter for over 100 years, Lake Macquarie City Council are updating their contaminated land management policy to deal with the continued fallout.

Lead contamination has been a constant problem in the area because of the smelter but the policy is also in place to deal with all types of contamination including asbestos and hydrocarbon pollution.

A Lead Expert Working Group has been advising Council on the most important changes to the policy to bring it in line with current legislation.

Lake Mayor Kay Fraser says it is important to be a step ahead to deal with contaminated land in the area.

"We're on the front foot making sure our policy is updated and ensuring our community is aware of what we're doing.

"We have encouraged our community to be involved along the way hence why we've had a number of working groups working closely with us," she said.

Old site of the Cockle Creek lead smelter

Aviation Firefighters seek information on PFAS contamination

BY LAUREN FREEMANTLE

The Aviation branch of the United Firefighters Union has lodged a complaint with the Office of the Information Commissioner in an attempt to gather information about PFAS contamination throughout Australia. 

It follows numerous denials by Airservices Australia to release the information requested under Freedom of Information laws. 

The Firefighters Union want to determine the full effects of PFAS foams used at 26 airports across the country, including Williamtown RAAF base. 

It comes after an investigation by ABC's Four Corners program last night exposed "gross failures by the Department of Defence" to deal with the problem. 

In response to the ABC investigation, Member for Paterson, Meryl Swanson, yesterday called on the federal government to send a representative to Williamtown and release a solution to the contamination crisis immediately. 

Firefighters Union Branch Secretary, Henry Lawrence, says the use of PFAS firefighting foams in Australia stopped in 2003, but only after the U.S. manufacturer ceased production.

He believes aviation firefighters and residents living in communities surrounding contaminated sites have the right to know what risks they are being exposed to. 

"Despite having reduced the size of our requests down to asking for a map...that would show the extent of contamination at the airports...still we've been told the information we're seeking is too voluminous; too much time and resources," Mr Lawrence said. 

He also called for health monitoring systems for exposed persons to be provided by the government. 

"It's not that there's no evidence that there are risks to human health with this stuff, but it's not consistent. 

"So it's imperative that a monitoring system is introduced for our members who were exposed as much (or more) than the aviation firefighters in the Department of Defence." 

Williamtown meeting behind closed doors

BY JESSICA ROUSE

Behind closed doors yesterday Defence Minister Marise Payne met with Williamtown residents alongside head of the Prime Minister's Perfluoroalkyl (PFAS) taskforce Senator James McGrath.

They heard stories from 20 residents on a cattle farm in Salt Ash, who are caught up in the Williamtown contamination scandal in one way or another.

Marise Payne promised their message would be taken back to Canberra, and Senator McGrath declared the government was in fact "deadly serious" about finding a solution for Williamtown and its residents.

"If I was to make my observation about the most compelling take out of today's meeting it is that people who are part of this community, who love this community, some who've lived here for a very long time want to be empowered to make decisions about what they do in relation to their own futures and their own properties amongst their own community for their children and for themselves. That is the message we will take back today," said Marise Payne.

Residents have had many meetings since the contamination scandal broke in September 2015 and have often had their hopes dashed that something would be done.

Yesterday's meeting was filled with mixed emotions with one resident accusing the government of criminal negligence.

"There are various options and solutions that we are looking into. It would be wrong for me to start going through the different options available that the government is currently looking into," said Senator McGrath.

When asked why it would be wrong to say what the government is looking into, Senator McGrath replied, "because we are looking into the different options that are available and what the government is looking at in terms of the Williamtown local community. It's something that I'm working on at the moment. It would be wrong of me to give a date".

Each resident had their story to tell and Lindsay Cout from the Fullerton Cove Residents Action Group said there are people who have left their properties and are now renting outside of the 'red zone', using their savings so they can cover their mortgages but they are drained out and running out of time.

"I am indifferent as to what impact it had, but we had the best environment for it and they heard some really harrowing stories  and the question was put to them 'How many more babies have to be born with high levels in their blood before somebody takes some action?' It's beyond talking now," said Lindsay Clout.

Marise Payne said the contaminants were once used broadly and internationally in firefighting foams, in scotch guard to protect lounge suits or on raincoats and in non-stick frying pan surfaces that are used every single day, so there was no conception whatsoever of their persistent nature.

"We still have questions in relation to their ultimate impact in health terms and in environmental terms."

"Well, I fully expected today there would be some hope given to those people that there would be some mention that yes we are considering that process but I didn't hear that... Defence needs to stand up and say it is time to get these people out of this contaminated area," said Lindsay Clout.

State Government Silence on Newcastle Contamination

BY RACHEL STORER

A recent Macquarie University report has revealed that large parts of inner-city Newcastle contain soil with an alarming cocktail of heavy metals leftover from the city's industrial past.

Member for Newcastle, Tim Crakanthorp, has called on the State Government to act but has been met with silence.

In January Mr Crakanthorp contacted the NSW Minister for the Environment, Gabrielle Upton, to discuss the serious issue.

"The main issue is that this report was released in January and it's now April and nothing has been done," he said.

"The government is dragging their heels on this issue and Minister Upton needs to realise the enormity of the issue at hand."

Mr Crakanthorp is calling for further studies to be conducted to provide more information to the residents of Newcastle regarding the risks they may face and how to manage contamination if required.

Mr Crakanthorp has said Newcastle does not want another "Williamtown debacle" but it appears that the state government is happier to ignore the existence of the report than deal with it.

Newcastle MP, Tim Crackenthorp

Calls for Investigation into Newcastle Contamination

BY SARAH BARONOWSKI

The State Government is being urged to hold a public information forum to address recent reports on heavy metal contamination in NEWCASTLE.

According to a report by MACQUARIE University, high levels of lead and copper can be found in many of NEWCASTLE's backyards and parks.

The levels found are considered to be dangerous to human health and Shadow Minister for the Environment, Penny Sharpe says the government needs to act.

"The EPA (Environment Protection Authority) has been silent really since this came out late last year and we think it's time that they need to step up," she said.

After the contamination at Williamtown, Penny Sharpe says she doesn't want a repeat in Newcastle.

"We know what happened in Williamtown. The EPA sat on the information for years," she said.

"We know that there are issues with industrial pollution that really impact on families that are moving in here and live here. It's time that the government provide information to the community so they know they're safe."

Newcastle MP, Tim Crakanthorp is also urging the government to hold a forum so Hunter residents understand how to manage contamination if it's found.

He says their response to this issue is poor.

"The government is very slowly to react on this. It should be acting quickly. It should have the EPA up here informing the community what this research means.

"Whether it's a veggie patch here in the back garden or children playing in the park, this government needs to set its resources onto this issue to make the public aware, through a public forum, of exactly what the contamination is and what that means for the people of Newcastle and the Hunter," he said.

Newcastle MP, Tim Crakanthorp and Shadow Minister for the Environment, Penny Sharpe with New Lambton resident Sue Walmsley 

McCormack has got Williamtown at the "top of the Priorities"

New Assistant Defence minister, Michael McCormack has given hope to Williamtown residents, as he aims to make the contamination at Williamtown RAAF base a top priority.

It comes as Defence minister, Marise Payne refuses to respond to the Senate inquiry into the base, which found conditions to be a crisis to the local community.

Minister Payne has also refused to announce when the Federal Government will respond to the report.

"Having face-to-face engagements with people who are living the reality of this contamination is vital" says Newcastle MP Sharon Claydon, who welcomed the announcement from minister McCromack.

McCormack first entered Parliament in 2010, representing the seat of Riverina, NSW

 It's been months since the initial announcement of contamination, which has seen local businesses hampered by loss of business, while fishing organisations have had little to no income since late last year.

Claydon has also advised minister McCormack to see the effects first hand, and not in Canberra.

"Have some discussion with the community group leadership ... to really find out what is the most appropriate means of communicating with as many residents and effected business as possible."

"It's not good enough to just lob up in Newcastle with a clear plan."

"He needs to hit the ground running."

McCormack was sworn in as Assistant Defence minister earlier today, along with a slew of Nationals MPs, including Barnaby Joyce as Deputy Prime Minister, and Alan Tudge, who replaced Stuart Robert as Human Services minister.

Image courtesy of Alex Ellinghausen, via the Sydney Morning Herald (LINK).