SECRECY is key to many military operations, but not the one starting in Bandiana later this year.
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A 12-month environmental investigation by the Department of Defence will assess the extent of chemicals known as per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the Albury Wodonga Military Area.
Once used as fire fighting foam, PFAS were phased out in 2004 but they remain in the environment.
Community information sessions at Bandiana area cinema on Tuesday aimed to tell people about Defence’s national program to manage the impact of PFAS.
Rear Admiral Clinton Thomas said the preliminary results at Bandiana showed some evidence of the substances but the site was considered low risk.
“We had a couple of detections which really indicate to us we need to look deeper to be absolutely sure where PFAS are and, as importantly, where they are not,” he said.
“And if it has gone off the base, and it looks like there’s some levels, low levels, that could have, then we want to know how far that extends. What we’re trying to show the community is how we’re dealing with the legacy issues, which date from the ‘70s through to around 2004.”
As well as the public events, Defence met with Bandiana personnel, Wodonga Council, water authorities and the Environment Protection Authority to discuss the situation.
The investigation, due to begin about June once an expert contractor was appointed, would include sinking bores and taking samples of surface water, soil and vegetation.
Rear Admiral Thomas said PFAS were also used in common household products, such as carpet, greaseproof paper and non-stick cookware.
According to the Environmental Health Standing Committee, there is presently no consistent evidence that exposure causes adverse human health effects.
“But as a precaution we in Defence are trying to minimise the exposure to any PFAS here at Bandiana and elsewhere around the country,” he said.
Commandant of the Army Logistics Training Centre at Bandiana, Colonel Andy Maclean said Defence took seriously the health and welfare of all its personnel.
“Truthfully, the issues to do with PFAS are not well understood in this community would be my assessment,” he said.
"We will be open, transparent and share with them what we know. We’re working closely with the local authorities who have more expertise in this area.”
More information about the national PFAS investigation and management program is available on the Department of Defence website.
