Jervis Bay range facility
The Department of Defence (Defence) is investigating potential per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination stemming from the historical use of fire-fighting foams at Jervis Bay Range Facility (JBRF) and HMAS Creswell.
Investigations have found PFAS in surface water, groundwater and biota taken from Summercloud, Mary and Flatrock Creeks and Captains Lagoon. The detection of PFAS is not unexpected given the past use of PFAS-containing fire-fighting foams at the site. PFAS has also been used in many domestic and industrial products and background levels may be present from these other sources.
The Federal Department of Infrastructure, Regional Development and Cities has overall responsibility for the Jervis Bay Territory, and has issued precautionary dietary advice for the residents of the Jervis Bay Territory. This does not apply to the wider community or visitors to the area.
The EPA has referred Defence’s PFAS biota sampling data for JBRF to the NSW PFAS Taskforce for review. The Taskforce has determined no precautionary dietary advice is required at this time for the consumption of seafood from Summercloud and Wreck Bays, within NSW waters. The creeks entering these ocean bays are small, only intermittently open to the sea and testing revealed animals in adjacent NSW marine waters were predominantly PFAS free.
The JBRF and HMAS Creswell are in the Jervis Bay Territory of the ACT and under the administration of Defence.
Although the NSW Government does not regulate Defence sites, Defence has agreed to conduct investigations in a manner consistent with the EPA’s requirements.
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