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.

"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.

"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 Residents Fuming After PFAS Information Session

BY IAN CROUCH

Williamtown residents have again been left angry and confused after an information session with Defence over the PFAS contamination crisis.

The department has issued a new map of the so-called Red Zone with four colour-coded risk zones, which appears to be quite different from the one issued by the NSW Environment Protection Authority just two weeks ago.

The EPA's Adam Gilligan told the 250 residents at the meeting they should rely on their map, not the one issued by Defence, which he said is based purely on science and has produced a different result.

Port Stephens MP, Kate Washington and Federal Paterson MP, Meryl Swanson says it only highlights the dysfunction between state and federal authorities over the handling of the PFAS contamination issue.

One Of Several Signs Around Williamtown Erected by Frustrated Residents

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."

"Toxic Dysfunction" of Government Eroding Williamtown Solution

BY JESSICA ROUSE

Paterson MP Meryl Swanson believes the "toxic dysfunction" of the State and Federal Governments has derailed their ability to find a solution for Williamtown.

The MP flew to Canberra yesterday to meet with Defence Minister Senator Marise Payne and Head of the PFAS Taskforce Senator James McGrath to demand answers.

But she says she came away disappointed with no answers, only being told that a number of options were being considered.

Senator Payne stated during the meeting that "defence stands ready to do whatever is asked of it from the Government".

Senator James McGrath and Senator Marise Payne at
Williamtown in May this year.

"I think it really speaks to the bigger problem that we have a Prime Minister who is incapable of making a decision and is battling to keep his job and batting off people that want his job. The buck stops in Cabinet, in Cabinet is where the big decisions are made," said Meryl Swanson.

Meryl Swanson said she came away with one startling revelation - Defence wasn't asked to come to Williamtown for the latest Williamtown Community Reference Group briefing where the Environmental Protection Authority informed residents the 'management area' or Red Zone had been expanded to include another 250 properties.

She says to get anywhere, everyone needs to work together, not pit everyone against each other.

"The last thing we want is the NSW Government and the NSW agencies like the EPA and Health, pitting Defence against the community. We need to be working together on this."

Meryl Swanson says a little bit of fault lies with all of the parties involved and she won't stop fighting for Williamtown until the problem is solved.

"The next step for me is to get back to Canberra on Sunday and go into next week continuing to push hard. I'm going to again contact the Prime Minister and say what is going on here and I'm going to continue to fight for the people of Williamtown like I have been."

Paterson MP Meryl Swanson at Williamtown in May this year.

Urgency ramps up for Williamtown residents

BY JESSICA ROUSE

The Williamtown contamination saga continues to escalate, with shocking revelations over the weekend there is a possible "cancer cluster" within the red zone.

Fairfax reported over the weekend that at least 24 people have had cancer in the last 15 years who have been living on just one part of a heavily polluted street - Cabbage Tree Road.

In the wake of these unbelievable results, Hunter based One Nation Senator Brian Burston is threatening to withdraw his support in the Senate for some of the government's budget measures unless it makes a move to fund the relocation of residents who want out of the Williamtown red zone.

Senator Burston has labelled the number of cancers as "extraordinary" and "too large to be coincidental".

Image news.com.au

Residents were already desperate to get out of the Williamtown red zone and now the urgency has been ramped up.

President of the Fullerton Cove Resident Action Group Lindsay Clout can't believe what has come out to light and fears that the possibility of a "cancer cluster" may not be confined just to Cabbage Tree Road, but it could be the same for many areas across Fullerton Cove and Salt Ash.

"People need to be moved out now. We've spent two years soft-shoeing around this and we've been telling defence all the way along, the longer that they delay the moving of people out, the more information that's going to come out that's damning as a result of this contamination - and that's what's happening."

Paterson MP Meryl Swanson is deeply concerned for residents and is urging the government to give residents a solution, and give it to them fast. She, as well as her fellow Labor members, have contacted the Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister's office in a bid to get an urgent briefing on the Turnbull Government's "solution" whatever it may be.

"Labor has put in a request for two meetings - one with the Department of Health and the Minister for Health and the second one is with the Prime Ministers task force so we have put those in already this morning, that has happened and it's in the making."

Paterson MP Meryl Swanson: Be on notice.

BY JESSICA ROUSE

Paterson MP Meryl Swanson's persistence paid off yesterday when Williamtown residents finally had the opportunity to meet with Defence Minister Marise Payne and head of the Prime Minister's contamination taskforce Senator James McGrath.

Behind closed doors on a cattle farm in Salt Ash, 20 residents told their harrowing stories face-to-face with people who could make a difference, and residents hoped it did.

It's a meeting the Paterson MP has been pushing for some time, and finally, the Defence Minister made good on her promise to come to Williamtown and meet with residents if she was re-elected.

Residents stories will be taken back to Canberra, and Meryl Swanson says it couldn't be too soon.

"You've come, you've said that you've heard us, I am supportive of what they've done today and I'll sing their praises for that but if they let us down all bets are off. We've given them faith and trust and I've played nicely politically today but, be on notice. We want action in Williamtown. it must happen."

Many residents are locked into a situation they simply can't see the end of.

"Can there be nothing worse than being a prisoner in your own home through no fault of your own. They don't want their bodies contaminated, they don't want their water contaminated and they don't want their properties contaminated"

Senator McGrath said he was touched by the harrowing stories of residents and is "deadly serious" about putting a plan in place to put an end to the contamination crisis.

"It's just so powerful when you sit and you hear it and you've actually got to look people in the eyes while they tell you we're still paying our mortgage while we rent somewhere else because we don't want our children to be exposed to this. We're retired, this is the only investment we have in our retirement," said Meryl Swanson.

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.

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.

Williamtown contamination takes disturbing turn

BY JESSICA ROUSE

In another disturbing twist in the Williamtown contamination, families outside of the 'red zone' are finding toxic levels of firefighting chemicals in their blood.

The latest victims of the contamination are unborn babies with the toxic chemicals being found in their blood while they're still in the womb.

Mark and Karen Grant were faced with this reality when their newborn tested positive in a blood test taken just moments after she was born.

The family moved out of the area almost immediately - even though they couldn't sell their property.

The young family aren't the only ones who have been affected outside of the contamination zone, Sue Walker and her husband Stephen also have high levels of toxins in their blood.

Sue has tested positive to having three times the national average and more than double the amount of her husband.

The couple are completely baffled as to how they could have so much of the chemical in their system as they live 40 metres outside of the contamination zone.

"I've attended a lot of the drop in sessions, I've written many many letters, and in those letters and at those drop in sessions i'v always questioned whether this could be airborne but no one has really addressed the issue at all," said Sue.

She says the only possible answer she can think of it that the chemicals are airborne as she spends a lot of time outside mowing and gardening, compared to her husband who is a train driver.

"What we do need is Defence to clean up this mess. I mean they speak about safe levels of exposure but there's no safe level of exposure as far as we're concerned and Defence need to start to clean it up and address the problem."

Sue and her husband say they'll keep fighting and trying to look after their health, because right now they can't do much else.

'they've indicted that whilst ever we stay here, I'm still exposed to the contaminant so ideally we should leave but that's just impossible. You cant just walk away from your home," said Sue.

New Toxic Chemical Guidelines Impact Williamtown Residents

BY IAN CROUCH

Residents impacted by the chemical contamination at the Williamtown RAAF Base are calling for an apology from enHealth after Food Standards Australia and New Zealand lowered the recommended safe levels of PFOS and PFOA in drinking water.

The new standard brings Australia in line with the more conservative US recommended levels, which is what the community had been originally calling for.

The safe level of PFOS has been lowered from .5 to .07 micrograms per litre, while the PFOA level has been slashed from 5 to 0.56 micrograms.

Williamtown residents are again being told to avoid eating home-grown food using contaminated water.

Residents In The Williamtown Red Zone Face More Uncertainty Picture:newsofthearea.com

Williamtown a 'matter of urgency' for PM: taskforce

BY GARY-JON LYSAGHT

Meryl Swanson

A PFAS taskforce – currently investigation the Williamtown contamination –  and senior advisors have told Paterson MP Meryl Swanson it is a priority of Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull.

In a meeting on Wednesday, the taskforce briefed Ms Swanson, in which they told her the urgency of the issue to the PM.

"I was assured by his [Malcolm Turnbull's] senior advisors that the Prime Minister see this as a priority and that the taskforce has been asked to report back to the government as quickly as possible," Ms Swanson said.

During the meeting, Ms Swanson said she also took the time to tell the taskforce the human stories she has heard since the outbreak.

“I took the opportunity to really tell them the stories of our people in Williamtown and what they’re going through,” she said.

“I think they were actually surprised, I know that some of the stories that I was able to convey to them they hadn’t before.”

The issue was

elevated to the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet in November 2016.

Part of the taskforce’s duties is reporting back to the PM with a report on how the clean-up is progressing, and also give considerations on how to help communities.

“They impressed on me they had to balance the speed of their response with knowledge of the science and evidence around PFAS contamination,” she said.

“I impressed upon them how our community had been through the wringer and was sick and tired of waiting.”

During Wednesday’s meeting, Ms Swanson extended another invitation to the Prime Minister, asking him to visit the region and talk to people in the ‘red zone’.

“When [Opposition Leader] Bill Shorten came, people really appreciated the fact that he taken the time – albeit a short amount of time – to come and sit down with some representatives from our community,” she said.

“If the Prime Minister has this as a true priority, he will come also and I extended that invitation.” 

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten concerned for Williamtown residents

BY JESSICA ROUSE

Federal Opposition Leader Bill Shorten has personally phoned residents affected by the Williamtown 'red zone'.

Jamie and Samantha Kelly discovered their 10-month old son had significant levels of toxic firefighting chemicals in his blood - something Mr Shorten says is incredibly concerning. 

Mr Shorten personally contacted the family after meeting them two months ago when he was in the area.

The family are moving into a new rental property in Newcastle and Ms Kelly told the Newcastle Herald they had been inundated with kindness from the wider community. 

Paterson MP Meryl Swanson says the problem isn't going away and she won't stop fighting for the Williamtown residents.

"I think the most important thing is that we maintain the pressure on this government to do something for these people and I am doing everything within my power to keep the profile of this story up in Canberra. I'm talking to as many people as I possibly can and Bill is certainly one of those people."