Swartz Barracks

Latest updates

Important information for communities around Swartz Barracks (formerly Army Aviation Centre Oakey).

• November 2024 Community Information Sessions Presentation (PDF, 6.96 MB)
• November 2024 Community Information Sessions Posters (PDF, 4.19 MB)
• November 2024 Community Information Sessions Factsheet (PDF, 1.02 MB)

Investigations and findings

In October 2018, Defence completed detailed investigations into per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination on and around Swartz Barracks.

Defence recognises that the PFAS contamination from Swartz Barracks is a significant issue for the local community. 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.

Eight source areas were identified where PFAS was found at levels requiring further study or action:

• former fire training ground
• former fire station and foam training area
• former fuel compound and hot refuel area
• aqueous film forming foam (AFFF) settling tank
• AFFF settling tank and AFFF storage tank
• current fire training area
• AFFF storage and decanting area
• hot refuel area and AFFF settling tank.

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. The assessment concluded there are possible risks associated with drinking contaminated groundwater (i.e. bore water) and eating home-grown produce at some locations. More details on Defence’s risk assessment can be found in the Recent reports and factsheets section.

To support communities reduce their exposure to PFAS, the Queensland Government has issued general health advice to help residents living in or near contaminated areas.

Additional investigations

Defence conducted a PFAS movement assessment that tracks how and where PFAS are moving from source areas and how much PFAS are leaving the base. Findings from the assessment identified that PFAS travels off Swartz Barracks through the base drainage networks and groundwater. These findings are being used to help determine the best remediation actions to further reduce the amount of PFAS leaving Swartz Barracks.

In 2024, Defence completed additional groundwater investigations which focused on the movement of groundwater and PFAS along the Swartz Barracks western boundary. This investigation assessed conditions of the soil and the preferred pathways in which PFAS moves off base. Findings of this investigation will be used to develop a groundwater remediation options assessment and remediation action plan.

Alternative drinking water supply

Defence is supplying alternative drinking water to eligible residents located within the management area. Local residents concerned about their drinking water supply should contact the Swartz Barracks project team to learn if they are eligible for alternative water assistance.

Defence has funded the connection of eligible properties within the Swartz Barracks management area to the Toowoomba Regional Council Water Network.

Properties that are connected by Defence also receive funding to cover water access charges, water consumption charges, annual backflow prevention device inspection and testing fees. To learn more, refer to the Reticulated Town Water Project factsheet (PDF 85 KB).

Defence has also provided upgraded rainwater tank infrastructure to eligible properties that were unable to be connected to town water.

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 Swartz Barracks setting out the proposed remedial works and other management actions to manage potential risks presented by PFAS.

Defence is focused on the management and remediation of the eight source areas. Remediation works are complete at the former fire training area and the AFFF settling tank. The current fire training area, and the AFFF settling tank and storage tank, are either in an inaccessible operational area, and/or have a concrete covering. This means minimal amounts of PFAS can move off base from these areas.

Soil remediation

In October 2021, Defence completed remediation at the former fire training area using a process called soil stabilisation. The process treated the PFAS impacted soils with activated carbon, making the PFAS stick to the product within the soil and stop it from moving when it rains. The treated soil was then placed back and covered with a clean layer of topsoil to prevent erosion.

Defence removed approximately 8,930 tonnes of soil from the former fire training area. Of this amount, 4,961 tonnes with higher PFAS contamination levels were destroyed at a licensed off-site facility.

Defence continues to monitor surface water at the former fire training area, and compare it to the monitoring results from before the remediation works were completed. Monitoring undertaken since the completion of this remediation work has shown a reduction in PFAS leaving Swartz Barracks. This targeted monitoring will continue to assess the long term effectiveness of the remediation works.

Soil stabilisation works are currently being planned for the following source areas:

• hot refuel area and AFFF settling tank
• former fire station and foam training area
• former fuel compound and hot refuel area
• AFFF storage and decanting area.

Open drain maintenance works

In February 2018, drain maintenance activities were completed on base. Almost 2 kilometres of open drains were cleaned and more than 12,100 m3 of sediment were disposed of at a licenced waste disposal facility to reduce PFAS moving off base.

Groundwater treatment plants

In 2017, Defence installed a groundwater treatment plant on base to treat PFAS impacted groundwater from the former fire station source area. In 2019, a second groundwater treatment plant was installed to treat impacted groundwater from another source area, the current fire training area.

In 2022, these plants were rationalised, with one plant removed and the other reconfigured to provide more efficient, effective and productive treatment of groundwater.

Water treatment plant sampling results

Reports from the management of water treatment plants.

• Water Treatment Plant Sampling Results Army Aviation Centre Oakey Fire Training Area (PDF, 2.57 MB)

Ongoing monitoring

Monitoring continues on and around Swartz Barracks through sampling of surface water, groundwater and sediment. Monitoring helps Defence to 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.

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.

• 2023 Ongoing Monitoring Report (PDF, 33.7 MB)
• 2023 Ongoing Monitoring Report Factsheet (PDF, 882.08 KB)
• PFAS Management Area Plan Report (PDF 25 MB)
• PFAS Management Area Plan Factsheet (PDF 257 KB)
• Addendum to Stage 2C Environmental Investigation – Human Health Risk Assessment Factsheet (PDF 4 MB)

Document archive

The Swartz 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 - Swartz Barracks (PDF, 300.17 KB)

Last review: 6 March 2025