A panel assembled by the NSW Government has recommended changes to the zoning of the Williamtown contamination area, to better reflect the level of potential exposure of residents to contamination.
The contamination is the result of firefighting foams historically being used on the RAAF base.
As focus switches from investigation to containment and remediation, the NSW PFAS Expert Panel has recommended renaming the contaminated zone as the ‘Management Area’, and dividing it into three new regions:
1. Primary Management Zone (Blue): PFAS has been detected – including at levels significantly above drinking water guidelines.
2. Secondary Management Zone (Yellow): PFAS is likely to be present – potentially above drinking water guidelines.
3. Broader Management Zone (Pink): Limited sampling has revealed some PFAS in small amounts, but more contamination might be found in the future
Certain properties in Fullerton Cove and Salt Ash have been included in the management area for the first time, as new data shows what areas could potentially be affected by contamination over the next 30 years.
The new data is believed to be of concern with some results exceeding acceptable standards, and NSW Health advises residents in the management area to follow precautionary advice to minimise exposure.
Change the colour coding so there is no “Red” zone and change the name to “Management Area”. As usual of our government these days lots of spin, no spine and fresh from a committee