Latest updates

Important information for communities around RAAF Base Amberley.

Investigations and findings

In September 2020, Defence completed detailed investigations into per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination on and around RAAF Base Amberley.

Defence recognises that the PFAS contamination at RAAF Base Amberley is a significant issue for the local community. Defence is committed to working with other Commonwealth agencies and 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.

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

  • the current fire training area
  • the temporary soil stockpile area (soil storage area)
  • wastewater holding tank for fire training area
  • base sewerage treatment plant
  • the former fire station.

Human Health Risk Assessment

As part of the investigations, Defence conducted two Human Health Risk Assessments. These assessments measured the PFAS exposure risks to people living, working and engaging in recreational activities on and around RAAF Base Amberley. 

The assessments identified elevated PFAS-related health risks at certain locations due to PFAS leaving RAAF Base Amberley. Further details on these assessments are available in the Human Health Risk Assessment factsheets under recent reports and factsheets on this page.

To help communities reduce PFAS exposure risks, the Queensland Government issued precautionary dietary advice. This guidance recommends avoiding consumption of fish caught from specific areas of Swanbank Lake, Oaky Creek, parts of the Warrill and Bundamba creeks, and the Bremer River. More information is available on the Queensland Government website.

In 2025, Defence undertook further sampling of fish and crustaceans in Ipswich waterways to update its understanding of PFAS contamination and associated health risks. Results were broadly consistent with previous monitoring. The potential PFAS exposure risk remains unchanged, and the Queensland Government’s precautionary health advice continues to apply.

Additional investigations

Defence conducted a PFAS movement assessment that tracks how and where PFAS are moving from the source areas and how many PFAS are leaving the base. The assessment found that PFAS moves off RAAF Base Amberley via surface water. These findings are being used to help identify the best remediation actions to reduce PFAS leaving RAAF Base Amberley.

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 setting out the proposed remedial works and other management actions Defence is taking to manage potential risks presented by PFAS.

Defence is replacing the existing sewage treatment plant with a new system that will provide greater capacity and treatment performance, including PFAS treatment capability.

Additional remediation actions are currently being developed. Defence will provide further updates once these are confirmed.

Ongoing monitoring

Monitoring of PFAS continues on and around RAAF Base Amberley 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 are moving in the management area. The remedial works are expected to reduce PFAS moving off base, and over time this will contribute to the reduction of PFAS in the management area.

Recent reports and factsheets

Reports and factsheets from the PFAS Investigation and Management Program are available to download. All website links and contact details in these documents were correct at the time of publication, but may change over time. To discuss these reports, contact pfas.enquiry@defence.gov.au. 

Document archive

The RAAF Base Amberley document archive contains information that Defence has published 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.

Document Archive - Amberley (PDF, 237.93 KB)

Last review: 15 December 2025

Contacts

1800 957 770

defence@jbsg.com.au

Translating and interpreting service
131 450