Investigations and findings
In June 2021, Defence completed investigations into per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination on and around Blamey Barracks.
Defence recognises that the PFAS contamination at Blamey Barracks is a significant issue for the Wagga Wagga community. Defence is committed to working with the NSW Government to manage, remediate and continuously 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 at 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 sources areas were found on the base where PFAS concentrations required further study or action:
- Fire station
- Former fire training area 1
- Former fire training area 2
- Waste water irrigation areas
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.
The assessment found the PFAS contamination from Blamey Barracks has a low exposure risk to human health. However, the risk assessment identified a potentially elevated exposure risk from eating fish caught from dams along Kapooka Creek and eating home-reared lamb (where sheep are watered from dams). More detail on Defence’s risk assessments can be found in the Human Health and Ecological Risk Assessment factsheet.
For precautionary advice, please contact the NSW Environment Protection Authority.
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.
Remediation works proposed for Blamey Barracks will occur in conjunction with the Riverina Redevelopment project. A PFAS movement assessment to measure how much and how fast PFAS are moving in groundwater and surface water, is nearing completion. This assessment will inform if additional remediation, outside of the Riverina Redevelopment project will be required.
Ongoing monitoring
Monitoring of PFAS continues on and around Blamey Barracks through sampling of surface water, groundwater, sediment and sewage. Monitoring helps Defence understand if PFAS contamination is changing over time.
The results are published in an Ongoing Monitoring Report and factsheet. Defence will inform the community if changes to the management approach are required.
Monitoring results to date have found no significant changes to how PFAS is moving in the management area
Recent reports and factsheets
Detailed reports from the PFAS investigation and management are available for download. Appendices to these reports can be found in the document archive. To discuss these reports, contact pfas.enquiry@defence.gov.au.
- 2021-2023 Ongoing Monitoring Report Factsheet (PDF, 755.62 KB)
- 2022-2023 Ongoing Monitoring Report (PDF, 58.66 MB)
- 2021-2022 Ongoing Monitoring Report (PDF, 92.82 MB)
- April 2023 Community Walk-in Session Presentation (PDF, 8 MB)
- April 2023 Community Walk-in Session Factsheet (PDF, 2 MB)
- PFAS Management Area Plan Report (PDF, 9 MB)
- PFAS Management Area Plan Factsheet (PDF, 1 MB)
- Human Health and Ecological Risk Assessment Factsheet (PDF, 1 MB)
Document archive
The Blamey Barracks document archive contains information that Defence has published about the management of PFAS, including older community presentations, investigation reports, risk assessments and factsheets.
Some archived information has been superseded by recent reports and factsheets.
Documents Archive - Blamey Barracks (PDF, 215.25 KB)
Last review: 3 February 2025