Gaps in government response to blame for PFAS community anxiety, parliamentary report finds

PEOPLE living in communities impacted by toxic foam once used on army bases feel ‘left out of the decision-making’ process largely because of gaps in the government’s national response and in Defence processes, a parliamentary report has found.

• Multimillion-dollar payouts for PFAS contamination
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PEOPLE living in communities impacted by toxic foam once used on army bases feel “left out of the decision-making” process largely because of gaps in the Government’s national response and in Defence processes, a parliamentary report has found.

The second progress update into the nationwide investigation into cleaning up contamination of local groundwater caused by the use of toxic firefighting chemicals used at army bases across the country, including in Katherine, has made 10 recommendations in a bid to reform the wanting processes.

The joint committee, chaired by MP Dr John McVeigh, found that many people in PFAS impacted communities felt “anxious about progress in the remediation effort” and “left out of the decision-making processes that affected their daily lives”.

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“While this is partly attributable to ongoing uncertainties about PFAS chemicals, the Sub-committee has concluded that apparent gaps in the Government’s national response and in Defence’s processes continue to contribute to this same outcome,” the committee stated in a report released on Monday.

Katherine residents living near RAAF Base Tindal in the NT will be paid $92.5 million after a successful class action payout led by residents of Oakey, in the Queensland Darling Downs region.

Oakey residents launched a class action in December claiming damages for massive losses in property values and business prospects after the toxic firefighting chemicals used at an army air base contaminated local groundwater.

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THE RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE SECOND PROGRESS UPDATE ARE;

Recommendation 1

The Committee recommends that the Government highlight the PFAS Taskforce’s role in co-ordination and review of the national PFAS response in a dedicated link accessible on the PFAS homepage as a contact point for members of the public.

This dedicated web page should also improve accountability and accessibility by: providing information on and links to relevant annual reports, parliamentary reviews, and to the Government response; making a feature of the PFAS Taskforce contact form, with ‘how can we help’ content and links to dedicated PFAS support and consumer protection sites; and providing information and contact details for the Director of the PFAS Taskforce.

Recommendation 2

The Committee recommends that the Department of Defence includes information on its investment in PFAS remediation programs, research and related activities in its annual reports along with tabular progress reports on remediation work under PMAPs for all sites.

Recommendation 3

The Committee recommends that the Department of Defence should publish on its website up-to-date maps showing the changing boundaries of PFAS investigation and PFAS Management Area Plan (PMAP) sites, with the status of areas officially cleared of PFAS contamination plainly indicated.

The Committee recommends copies of these maps should be made available to residents on request.

The Committee also recommends that the Department ensures public input is sought through community engagement throughout the process.

Recommendation 4

The Committee recommends that PMAPs should be practical documents that direct compliance with a jurisdiction’s environmental policies and standards as well national PFAS regulatory frameworks for timely remediation works in and around Defence bases.

Recommendation 5

The Committee recommends that the Government review its local information and broader media strategy to ensure information on PFAS related matters is factual, cites trusted sources, and is well targeted to inform specific audiences about priority issues and concerns.

Recommendation 6

The Committee recommends that the Government adopt participatory approaches to improve collaboration and involvement with the community.

Recommendation 7

The Committee recommends that the Government should fund research to better understand the mental health impacts of living with PFAS contamination and related human made disasters to better inform Government services and supports.

Recommendation 8

The Committee recommends that the Government should provide all people affected by PFAS with mental health supports and counselling services, with a dedicated link and a phone contact on the PFAS website for accessing these services, and regular updates provided in affected communities about what services are available.

Recommendation 9

The Committee recommends that the Government prioritise assisting property owners and businesses in affected areas through compensation for financial losses associated with contamination emanating from Defence bases, including the possibility of buybacks.

Recommendation 10

The Committee recommends that the Government expedite the work to ban the use of, contain, and ultimately safely destroy, long chain PFAS-based firefighting foams (including those containing PFOS, PFOA and PFHxS), with the objective of urgently ratifying the listing of PFOS and expediting the process for PFOA and PFHxS in the event they are listed under the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants.

The Committee recommends that the Government provide a timeline for the processes identified in the previous recommendation.

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