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Important information for communities around Lavarack Barracks.
Investigations and findings
In August 2020, Defence completed detailed investigations into per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination on and around Lavarack Barracks. Defence is committed to working with the Queensland 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.
Two source areas were identified where PFAS was found in soil or groundwater at levels that required further study or action:
- the former fire station
- the former fire training area and monocell (an underground waste containment cell).
Human Health Risk Assessment
As part of the investigations, Defence conducted a Human Health Risk Assessment. This assessment measured the PFAS exposure risks to people living, working and undertaking recreational activities within the management area.
This assessment found no scenarios of potentially elevated exposure risks associated with typical activities carried out within the management area. However, an elevated exposure risk was identified in the event that milk fish from Fairfield Lake or eel from the Ross River, upstream of Aplin's Weir, are consumed more than twice a week. More details on Defence’s risk assessment can be found in the Human Health Risk Assessment factsheet found under the Recent reports and factsheets section.
To support communities reduce their exposure to PFAS, the Queensland Government issued precautionary dietary advice.
Additional investigations
Defence conducted a PFAS movement assessment that tracks how and where PFAS are moving from the source areas and how much PFAS are leaving the base. This study helped determine the best remediation actions to reduce the amount of PFAS leaving Lavarack Barracks.
The assessment found that PFAS mainly moves off base through surface water over the central part of the northern boundary, flowing into the Ross River. The study also found the former fire training area was not a major source of surface water PFAS contamination, and there was no evidence that the monocell was an ongoing source of PFAS contamination. The former fire training area and monocell were initially identified as the source areas contributing to the PFAS contamination within Idalia Lakes.
The PFAS movement assessment identified an alternative source area is likely contributing to PFAS flowing into Idalia Lakes. Additional investigations are underway to confirm the location of the source area to inform management actions.
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 for Lavarack Barracks setting out the proposed remedial works and other management actions to manage potential risks presented by PFAS.
Due to ground conditions, most PFAS moves through surface water at Lavarack Barracks. Therefore, remediation focuses on addressing PFAS in the top layer of soils and other surfaces such as concrete.
The former fire station
The former fire station is located in the central portion of Lavarack Barracks. Investigations confirmed that the former fire station is the largest source of PFAS leaving the base. The soil in this area contains more than 50 kg of PFAS.
A remediation action plan has been prepared for the former fire station to reduce PFAS discharges to surface drains on the site and into the management area. Proposed remediation works for this area include soil stabilisation.
The process removes PFAS-impacted soil and treats it with a natural product. This makes the PFAS stick to the product within the soil and stops it from moving when it rains. The treated soil is then placed back and covered with a clean layer of topsoil to prevent erosion.
Some of this treated soil will also be relocated to local landfills. However, if the soil has PFAS concentrations that are too high to treat effectively it will be sent interstate for disposal at a thermal destruction facility. Additionally, some concrete will be removed and safely disposed of off base.
Defence expects that these works will commence in the coming months.
The former fire training area and monocell
The former fire training area and monocell are located in the southern portion of Lavarack Barracks. Investigations confirmed that there are no additional management actions required in this area.
Ongoing monitoring
Monitoring of PFAS continues on and around Lavarack Barracks through sampling of surface water, groundwater and sediment. 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. The remedial works are expected to reduce PFAS from leaving the base, and over time this will contribute to the reduction of PFAS in the management area.
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.
- October 2023 Community Consultative Session Presentation (PDF, 10.79 MB)
- October 2023 Community Consultative Session Posters (PDF, 3.69 MB)
- October 2023 Remediation and Monitoring Update Factsheet (PDF, 1.78 MB)
- PFAS Management Area Plan Report (PDF 23 MB)
- PFAS Management Area Plan Factsheet (PDF 1.7 MB)
- Human Health Risk Assessment Factsheet (PDF 365 KB)
- Ecological Risk Assessment Factsheet (PDF 1.2 MB)
Document archive
The Lavarack 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 documents have been superseded by recent reports and factsheets.
Documents Archive - Lavarack Barracks (PDF, 225.14 KB)
Last review: 6 March 2025