Fears as toxic chemicals spread under town

THE extent of groundwater contamination as a result of toxic firefighting foam used at the Oakey Army Aviation Centre for decades has spread further south than scientists previously expected.

Low-level readings of per-and-polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), which include PFOS and PFOA toxins, have been recorded outside existing identified levels.

At a lengthy community information session, AECOM technical director Paul McKay conceded to Oakey residents the positive readings were "further south" than originally anticipated.

But he cautioned the levels were to the lower end of the scale and fluctuated in line with ground and surface water flows.

Jennifer Spencer and (left to right) Berwick Stud owners David Jefferis and Dianne Priddle review the updated maps and contamination zones at the Oakey groundwater contamination information session. Tara Miko

For some residents including Dianne Priddle, whose Berwick Stud cattle enterprise borders the identified contamination zone, the results were unsurprising.

"A lot of words were said tonight and I don't know how much substance was in those words," Ms Priddle told The Chronicle.

"When you start to break it down, I'm not sure what we have really been told."

Tests were completed over a 12-month period a hundreds of locations in an 18sq km area around Oakey, taking in identified contamination zones and border areas.

Mr McKay said the polluted zone followed the Oakey Creek Alluvium groundwater contours and contaminant levels were directly impacted by rainwater flows.

New maps released reveal the contamination plume is spreading further west-southwest than originally anticipated. Louise OMara

He said contamination levels at the source areas identified on-site at the Oakey Army Aviation Centre remained unchanged, and tests results from those sites were the highest readings.

Drainage systems leading from the base, in which both surface and sediment samples were taken, recorded some of the highest readings.

Lands irrigated with water contaminated groundwater supplies were also revealed to be affected.

Mr McKay said if left unmediated, the contamination plume would spread about 500m out of the identified zones.

Residents are now awaiting the Human Health Report Assessment which is due to be released late next month.

The Defence spokeswoman said the report was "on track" for a late August release, with community information sessions to follow shortly after.

Two community walk-in sessions will be held today to give residents a chance to ask further questions regarding the report.