RAAF Base Williamtown

Latest updates

Important information for communities around RAAF Base Williamtown.

Community information sessions

Defence is holding community information sessions on per- and poly- fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination on and from RAAF Base Williamtown. 

This is an opportunity for the community to hear the latest on PFAS remediation and management activities by Defence and ongoing monitoring of PFAS within the Williamtown area. 

The evening session will include a presentation delivered by members of the Defence PFAS Investigation and Management Program, followed by a question and answer forum with the community. 

Those unable to attend the evening session are encouraged to come and speak informally with Defence representatives at the walk-in session.

Session details

• Date: Thursday 5 December 2024
• Venue: Murrook Cultural Centre, 2163 Nelson Bay Road, Williamtown
• Time
  • Session 1: 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm
  • Session 2: 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm (presentation at 6:00 pm and question and answer forum)
• RSVP: Please register for either community information session and submit any questions you would like answered. Alternatively, email williamtown.defence@aecom.com or call 1800 011 443.

Investigations and findings

In October 2018, Defence completed investigations into PFAS contamination on and around RAAF Base Williamtown. Defence recognises that PFAS contamination from RAAF Base Williamtown is a significant issue for the local community. Defence is working with the New South Wales (NSW) 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 used, stored or disposed. 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.

Six source areas were found on the base where PFAS concentrations required further study or action:

• Former fire training area 
• Lake Cochran
• Sewage treatment plant and associated water ponds
• Trade waste treatment plant
• Fire station and fire training pad / foam testing facility
• Vehicle refuelling facility transport yard.

The demolition of explosive munitions site landfill and north eastern landfill are no longer considered to be a significant source of PFAS.

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. More detail on Defence’s risk assessments can be found in the Human Health and Ecological Risk Assessment factsheet.

To support communities reduce their exposure to PFAS, the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) released precautionary advice for residents within the Williamtown management area.

Remediation and management

Defence is working to manage, remediate and monitor PFAS contamination on and around RAAF Base Williamtown. Remediation began in 2018 and includes remediation of source areas, treatment of groundwater and management of PFAS impacted surface water.   

In October 2022, Defence completed a review to assess the effectiveness of remediation actions at RAAF Base Williamtown. The review was completed by a panel of local, national and international independent experts. The review was also assessed by experts appointed by the NSW EPA.

The review recommended additional groundwater extractions off the base near Cabbage Tree Road and on the southern base boundary near the former fire fighter training area. The extractions will decrease the amount of PFAS leaving the base and greatly reduce the PFAS flowing into Fullerton Cove.

Additional surface water treatment was also recommended on Moors Drain, to make the current system more effective. 

The recommendations of the review have formed the basis of the revised PFAS Management Area Plan, published in December 2023. Defence will continue to provide updates as these recommendations are implemented. 

Alternative drinking water supply

Defence is providing water assistance to eligible properties within the Williamtown management area. For further information, please contact the Williamtown Information line during business hours on 1800 011 443 (free-call) or email williamtown.defence@aecom.com.

Ongoing monitoring

Monitoring of PFAS continues on and around RAAF Base Williamtown through sampling of surface water, groundwater, sediment and biota. Monitoring helps Defence understand if PFAS contamination is changing over time.

The PFAS Ongoing Monitoring Plan was updated in December 2023 and is available to download. Defence consulted with the NSW EPA, NSW Technical Advisory Group and Hunter Water Corporation in reviewing the plan. The review recommended retaining, removing, and adding sampling locations.

Monitoring results to date have shown that PFAS concentrations in and around the source areas have reduced as a result of remediation. However, the concentrations of PFAS in the management area remain broadly the same. It has taken several decades for PFAS to spread into the management area through groundwater and surface water flows. 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.

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 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 with Appendix A-F – July 2024 (PDF, 37.77 MB)
• 2021-2023 Ongoing Monitoring Report Appendix G – July 2024 (PDF, 64.85 MB)
• 2021-2023 Ongoing Monitoring Report Factsheet – July 2024 (PDF, 1.77 MB)
• Revised PFAS Management Area Plan – December 2023 (PDF, 2.9 MB)
• Updated Ongoing Monitoring Plan – December 2023 (PDF, 1.88 MB)
• Revised PFAS Management Area Plan and Updated Ongoing Monitoring Plan Factsheet – December 2023 (PDF, 531.11 KB)
• Community Information Session - Oct 2022 presentation (PDF 4 MB)
• Community Information Session - Oct 2022 factsheet (PDF 920 KB)
• Ongoing Monitoring and Remediation Update - Aug 2021 factsheet (PDF 1.3 MB)
• PFAS Management Area Plan - July 2019 factsheet (PDF 1.5 MB)
• PFAS Management Area Plan - May 2019 report (PDF 19.9 MB)
• Groundwater Strategy Review Remedial Options - Sep 2022 report (PDF 57 MB)
• Groundwater Strategy Review Numerical Groundwater Model Update - Sep 2022 report (PDF 27 MB)
• Addendum to Stage 2C Environmental Investigation: Human Health Risk Assessment - July 2016 report (PDF 289 KB)
• Human Health Risk Assessment - August 2016 factsheet (PDF 670 KB)
• Ecological Risk Assessment - Oct 2018 factsheet (PDF 1.2 MB)
• Environmental Site Assessment - Aug 2016 factsheet (PDF 1.04 MB)
• Water Reticulation Project and Payment of Hunter Water's Service Fee and Usage Charges - March 2018 factsheet (PDF 87 KB)

Water Treatment Plant reports

Reports from the management of Water Treatment Plants.

Water Treatment Plant Sampling Results RAAF Base Williamtown Moors Drain (formerly ECT2 Interim) (PDF, 2.01 MB)

Water Treatment Plant Sampling Results RAAF Base Williamtown Southern Area (PDF, 1.89 MB)

Water Treatment Plant Sampling Results RAAF Base Williamtown Fire Training Area (PDF, 1.63 MB)

Document archive

The RAAF Base Williamtown document archive contains information 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 - Williamtown (PDF, 320.73 KB)

Last review: 11 November 2024