Latest updates
Important information for communities around Robertson Barracks.
- 2021 – 2023 Ongoing Monitoring Report (PDF, 65 MB)
- 2021 - 2023 Ongoing Monitoring Report Factsheet (PDF, 1.5 MB)
Investigations and findings
In August 2018, Defence completed detailed investigations into per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination on and around Robertson Barracks.
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.
Human health 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 investigations found that risks to people, plants and animals resulting from PFAS exposure were low. More details on Defence’s risk assessment can be found in the Human Health and Ecological Risk Assessment factsheet found under the Recent reports and factsheets section.
Remediation and management
Defence has developed a PFAS Management Area Plan for Robertson Barracks, which sets out management actions to reduce potential risks presented by PFAS.
Defence’s PFAS Management Area Plan for Robertson Barracks was informed by the outcomes of the investigations and reflects the low risk identified. The management plan recommended that monitoring of PFAS should continue. Treating or removing PFAS from the area is not a recommendation of the management plan due to the low risk profile.
Ongoing monitoring
Monitoring of PFAS continues on and around Robertson Barracks through sampling of surface water, groundwater and sediment biannually. Monitoring helps Defence understand if PFAS contamination in the local area is changing over time and informs the PFAS Management Area Plan.
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 are moving in the management area.
Recent reports and factsheets
Detailed reports from the PFAS Investigation and Management Program are available to download. To discuss these reports contact pfas.enquiry@defence.gov.au.
- PFAS Management Area Plan Update factsheet (PDF 0.7 MB)
- PFAS Management Area Plan (PDF 6.4 MB)
- Human Health and Ecological Risk Assessment Findings - Factsheet (PDF 490 KB)
Document archive
The document archive contains information that Defence has published since 2016, including older community presentations, investigation reports, risk assessments and factsheets.
Some archive information has been superseded by the recent reports and factsheets.
Documents Archive - Robertson (PDF, 216.58 KB)
Last review: 6 March 2025