ADF reveals five sources of contaminated soil, water at RAAF Amberley Base

The Australian Defence Force has released the sources at RAAF Base Amberley which had caused toxic fish in nearby rivers, with plans for additional remediation works commencing next year.

Bremer River. Picture: Jessica Baker

The Australian Defence Force has unveiled the sources at RAAF Base Amberley which had been contaminating nearby soil and water for decades.

Toxic chemicals were detected in every edible fish caught in nearby rivers, prompting the department for detailed site investigation and risk assessment.

The department previously used a toxic firefighting foam, which contained per- and poly- fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), to wash off the aircraft.

Management area and sources area. Picture: Australian Defence

In a presentation at a public consultation session on Tuesday, the department said the sources for PFAS were found where the firefighting foam was previously used, stored and disposed of.

Five key sources at the base included the current fire training pad, a wastewater holding tank, temporary soil stockpile area, a base sewerage treatment and the former fire station.

The department collected 271 groundwater samples, 327 surface water samples, 338 sediment samples on and off base from 2021.

It found the highest levels of PFAS contamination were base source areas, but with slight increases recorded in several groundwater locations along the base boundary to the west and south east.

How PFAS moves in the environment. Picture: Australian Defence

The department said the most recent ongoing monitoring report did not suggest a change in any potential exposure risks for the community or the environment.

The department will continue to monitor the five source areas, developing and implementing a remediation action plan.

It said ongoing remediation will focus on managing stormwater as most PFAS leaves the base via surface water.

It has also commissioned a new sewage treatment plant which is capable of treating PFAS contaminated wastewater, with remediation work commencing in mid-2025.

Precautionary advice for fish consumption. Picture: Australian Defence

The department continued to advise the public not to consume all the fish caught in Bremer River and Warrill Creek in areas adjacent to its Amberley base.