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Important information for communities around Bandiana Military Area. 

Investigations and findings

In November 2020, Defence completed detailed investigations into per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination on and around Bandiana Military Area, which includes Gaza Ridge Barracks (South and North Bandiana) and Wadsworth Barracks (East Bandiana). Defence is committed to working with the Victorian Government to manage, remediate and monitor PFAS contamination in the area.

The investigations found that PFAS are mostly concentrated in areas where firefighting foams were previously disposed of, used or stored. These are called source areas. PFAS in these locations can be found in soil and in water flowing through the source areas. PFAS moves in surface water flowing through drains and creeks, or groundwater that flows underground through soil and rock.

Four areas were found at Bandiana Military Area where PFAS concentrations required further action:

  • two former fire training areas
  • the former fire station
  • the former fire training area.

Human Health and Ecological Risk Assessment

As part of the investigations, Defence conducted a Human Health and Ecological Risk Assessment. This assessment measured the PFAS exposure risks to people living, working and undertaking recreational activities within the management area and to local plant and animal life. More detail on Defence’s risk assessment can be found in the Human Health and Ecological Risk Assessment factsheets found under the 'Recent reports and factsheets' section.

To support communities to reduce their exposure to PFAS, Environment Protection Authority Victoria released precautionary consumption advice for carp in the Kiewa River.

Remediation and management

The aim of remediation is to minimise PFAS leaving the base by focusing on the remediation and management of the source areas. Over time, this will contribute to the reduction of PFAS in the management area. Defence has a PFAS Management Area Plan setting out the proposed remedial works and other management actions to manage potential risks presented by PFAS.

At Bandiana Military Area, PFAS were found to be primarily moving via surface water at South and North Bandiana and via groundwater at East Bandiana. To prevent PFAS moving from the source areas off base, remedial works will focus on treating PFAS in soils and within groundwater.

Remediation designs were completed in 2025. A specialist contractor is required to undertake the planned remediation works, which are expected to commence in late 2026.

Soil remediation

Remedial works at two former fire training areas, the former fire station and the current fire station will involve treating the impacted soils with activated carbon. This makes the PFAS stick to the product within the soil to stop it dissolving in water and moving when it rains. The treated soil will be placed back into lined excavations and covered with a clean layer of topsoil to prevent erosion. Soils with the highest concentrations of PFAS will be sent interstate for treatment at a licenced thermal destruction facility.

Groundwater remediation

In June 2024, Defence advised the community that a passive carbon barrier would be installed to capture PFAS within groundwater at the base boundary of East Bandiana.

A trial of this remediation approach is currently being planned for RAAF Base Williamtown in NSW. While this trial is being conducted, Defence will install a groundwater pump and treat system at East Bandiana, which will achieve the same outcomes as the proposed passive barrier. This will enable Defence to apply learnings from the trial to a future passive barrier at East Bandiana.

Defence will regularly provide updates on both the passive barrier trial and the pump and treat system once operational.

Ongoing monitoring

Regular monitoring of PFAS continues on and around Bandiana Military Area through sampling of surface water, groundwater and sediment. Monitoring helps Defence understand if PFAS contamination is changing over time.

Monitoring results have found no significant changes to how PFAS are moving in the management area. The remedial works are expected to reduce PFAS moving off the base, and over time this will help reduce the amount of PFAS in the management area.

Results are published in an Ongoing Monitoring Report and factsheet. Defence will inform the community if changes to the management approach are required.

Recent reports and factsheets

Detailed reports from the PFAS Investigation and Management Program are available to download. Appendices to these reports can be found in the document archive. To discuss these reports contact pfas.enquiry@defence.gov.au.

Document archive

The Bandiana Military Area document archive contains information that Defence has published about the management of PFAS, including older community presentations, investigation reports, risk assessments and factsheets.

Some archive information has been superseded by the recent reports and factsheets.

Documents Archive - Bandiana (PDF, 347.94 KB)

Last review: 2 September 2026