Royal Australian Air Force: Warrill Creek contamination

Senator Bob Brown asked the Minister for Defence, upon notice, on 21 October 2009:

1. What action has the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) taken to remediate its contamination of Warrill Creek in Queensland.
2. How did this contamination occur.
3. (a) What has/will the clean-up cost; and
   (b) what fine or fines has the RAAF paid for contaminating the creek.
4. What steps have been taken at the base to ensure that this does not occur again.
5. ave there been any health complaints from local residents or defence force personnel that could have resulted from exposure to the heavy metals the RAAF released into the creek; if so, what action has the RAAF taken to help these people.

Senator Faulkner - The answer to the honourable Senator’s question is as follows:

1. Defence has diverted all waste water generated by industrial processes at RAAF Base Amberley, and assessed as potentially high risk, from the sewage system.  This high risk waste water stream is now being transported to appropriate commercial facilities for disposal off-site.
   
   Re-sampling and testing of water and sediment upstream on Warrill Creek, down stream 400m on Warrill Creek, and below the junction of Warrill Creek and the Bremer River was also conducted. Defence and the Queensland Department of Environment and Resource Management (DERM) has conducted testing to verify Defence’s original survey results, the degree of contamination and its source. Defence’s results have yet to be fully reviewed but they appear to indicate that the contamination levels and the extent of contamination are not as high as earlier results indicated.  The results of the investigation will be analysed, reviewed and compiled into a report for DERM and submitted by 30 November 2009.
   
   Defence and DERM will consult to establish what remediation work might be required.
2. The potential sources of the contamination have been investigated, confirming that a major source of heavy metal contamination is the electroplating workshop, which until recently discharged treated trade waste water into the RAAF Amberley Sewage Treatment Plant. 
3.  
   1. The need and cost of any clean-up will not be known until results from the environmental investigations are complete.  Defence will submit its report and discuss contamination or remediation options with the Queensland Department of Environment and Resource Management.
   2. Defence has not been issued with any fines due to this contamination.
4. In addition to the strategies outlined above, Defence is investigating a range of options to improve waste water management at Amberley to reduce the risk of contamination re-occuring.
5. Defence has received a number of enquiries from members of the local community regarding the health impacts.  Defence is not currently planning to test local residents.  Defence has not received any evidence of occupational heavy metal exposure that is likely to cause any acute (or chronic) health affects. Advice from DERM is that the contamination represents a low risk to the public but that the community should limit contact with the waters of Warrill Creek. A hotline has been established for residents who have concerns. Defence will reconsider current plans if the results of current and future testing, or recommendations of DERM, suggest that the risk profile has changed.

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