The Williamtown Working Group is overseen by the PFAS National Coordinating Body.
The Williamtown Working Group will progress local initiatives, including a whole-of-catchment flood action plan, to improve drainage management in areas south of RAAF Base Williamtown.
The establishment of the Williamtown Working Group is a practical step forward in delivering local solutions for those impacted by PFAS contamination in Williamtown.
The first Williamtown Working Group meeting was held on 20 November 2025, and meetings will be held regularly over the next 12 months.
Members
The National Coordinating Body endorsed the community members selected, following an expression of interest process which closed 3 October 2025.
- Ms Meryl Swanson – Federal Member for Paterson, NSW
- Ms Kate Washington – Local member for Port Stephens
- Mayor Leah Anderson – Mayor of Port Stephens Council
- Mr John Maretich – Port Stephens Council
- Worimi Local Aboriginal Land Council
- Department of Defence
- Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (Federal)
- NSW Environment Protection Authority
- Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (NSW)
- Hunter Water Corporation
- Hunter Valley Flood Mitigation Scheme
- NSW Health
- NSW Planning
- Mr Lindsay Clout – community member
- Mr Justin Hamilton – community member
- Ms Susan Hirsch – community member
- Mr Andrew Slade – community member
Meetings
Key updates
20 November 2025:
- Members agreed to the Terms of Reference and the Work Plan to progress actions to mitigate PFAS contamination from RAAF Base Williamtown.
- Defence presented the approach to develop a flood action plan to support improved coordination and management of the local drainage network. This flood action plan is due for completion by September 2026. Implementation of agreed actions from the work plan by owners of drainage infrastructure will improve the performance and maintenance of the drainage network. On 11 December 2025, several Williamtown Working Group members attended a field inspection of drains south of RAAF Base Williamtown, to validate current mapping of the drains and discharge points.
Upcoming meetings
The next meeting is scheduled for 29 January 2026.