Army Aviation Centre Oakey
PFAS Investigation & Management
PFAS website upgrades coming soon
Defence is working on improving the PFAS Investigation and Management web content. The location, design and written content will be upgraded. Defence plans to launch the website upgrades by late-June 2023.
The objective of this environmental investigation is to identify the nature and extent of PFAS in the environment from the use of legacy firefighting foam at the Base.
All findings from the investigation are available on the publications page, including detailed reports and factsheets.
Defence is now focusing on management and remediation of PFAS contamination within the Management Area. Further information is available on the management activities page.
Defence is committed to regularly updating the community throughout the investigation. As well as community engagement events, updates are provided through the project website, newsletters and factsheets as new information becomes available.
Investigation Timeline
More information about the investigation stages is available on the investigation and management process page.
Ongoing Monitoring
Ongoing
We are continuing to monitor PFAS in the Management Area. The ongoing monitoring plan shows where we are monitoring and how often we are taking samples. Click on the buttons to the right to see the latest ongoing monitoring interpretive report and factsheet.
We are continuing to monitor PFAS in the Management Area. The ongoing monitoring plan shows where we are monitoring and how often we are taking samples. Click on the buttons to the right to see the latest ongoing monitoring interpretive report and factsheet.
PFAS Management Area Plan
Published
Jul 2019
The PFAS Management Area Plan informs the activities Defence will undertake to manage, monitor and reduce potential risks of PFAS exposure on, and around, the Base.
The PFAS Management Area Plan informs the activities Defence will undertake to manage, monitor and reduce potential risks of PFAS exposure on, and around, the Base.
Groundwater & Surface Water Monitoring
Complete
Jul 2019
Defence undertook monitoring to better understand the effect of seasons on the distribution of PFAS in groundwater.
Defence undertook monitoring to better understand the effect of seasons on the distribution of PFAS in groundwater.
Ecological Risk Assessment
Complete
October 2018
This stage built on the findings of the 2016 Preliminary Ecological Risk Assessment. The report outlines PFAS exposure risks for plants and animals in the Investigation Area.
This stage built on the findings of the 2016 Preliminary Ecological Risk Assessment. The report outlines PFAS exposure risks for plants and animals in the Investigation Area.
Human Health Risk Assessment
Complete
December 2017
This stage built on previous Human Health Risk Assessments by using newly adopted Health Based Guidance Values from the Department of Health and considering new sampling and survey data.
This stage built on previous Human Health Risk Assessments by using newly adopted Health Based Guidance Values from the Department of Health and considering new sampling and survey data.
Environmental Site Assessment
Complete
December 2017
This stage refined the 2016 Environmental Site Assessment by addressing data gaps and uncertainties regarding the extent of contamination in some areas. The assessment outlined the location of PFAS in the Investigation Area and how it is moving.
This stage refined the 2016 Environmental Site Assessment by addressing data gaps and uncertainties regarding the extent of contamination in some areas. The assessment outlined the location of PFAS in the Investigation Area and how it is moving.
Human Health Risk Assessment - Addendum
Complete
Apr 2017
This addendum to the 2016 Human Health Risk Assessment considered a new Tolerable Daily Intake released by Food Standards Australia New Zealand for certain PFAS.
This addendum to the 2016 Human Health Risk Assessment considered a new Tolerable Daily Intake released by Food Standards Australia New Zealand for certain PFAS.
2016 Preliminary Ecological Risk Assessment
Complete
Nov 2016
The purpose of the 2016 Preliminary Ecological Risk Assessment was to evaluate potential exposure-risks to plants and animals, within the Investigation Area.
The purpose of the 2016 Preliminary Ecological Risk Assessment was to evaluate potential exposure-risks to plants and animals, within the Investigation Area.
2016 Human Health Risk Assessment
Complete
Sep 2016
The purpose of the 2016 Human Health Risk Assessment was to evaluate potential exposure-risks to people, within the Investigation Area.
The purpose of the 2016 Human Health Risk Assessment was to evaluate potential exposure-risks to people, within the Investigation Area.
2016 Environmental Site Assessment
Complete
Jul 2016
Similar to a Detailed Site Investigation, the 2016 Environmental Site Assessment involved sampling of soil, sediment, surface water and groundwater, to better understand how PFAS moves through the environment.
Similar to a Detailed Site Investigation, the 2016 Environmental Site Assessment involved sampling of soil, sediment, surface water and groundwater, to better understand how PFAS moves through the environment.
Stage 1 and 2 On-Site Investigations
Complete
2013
These stages involved a review of the historical use of firefighting foams on-base to identify potential sources of PFAS contamination.
These stages involved a review of the historical use of firefighting foams on-base to identify potential sources of PFAS contamination.
