NSW PFAS Expert Panel (Including Williamtown Expert Panel)

In June 2017, the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) Chair and CEO wrote to the NSW Chief Scientist & Engineer, then Professor Mary O'Kane AC, requesting that the Williamtown Contamination Expert Panel be transitioned to the NSW PFAS Expert Panel to provide ongoing high level advice on PFAS-related matters.

As with the previous Williamtown Contamination Expert Panel, the NSW PFAS Expert Panel (the Expert Panel) is led by the NSW Chief Scientist & Engineer and is comprised of a range of technical experts in contamination and health. It also includes senior representatives from the EPA, NSW Health, the NSW Department of Primary Industries and the Hunter Water Corporation.

The Expert Panel is called upon as necessary to provide scientific advice to the EPA and other NSW Government agencies on how to manage contaminated sites across New South Wales.

The Expert Panel works in partnership and consult regularly with stakeholders to ensure affected communities remain informed and updated.

Terms of Reference

1. Purpose

The Expert Panel was established under Division 4 of the Protection of the Environment Administration Act 1991 for the purpose of providing informed scientific advice to the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) to assist in developing the NSW Government's response in relation to investigations to assess and manage contamination by per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) on sites across Australia.

The Expert Panel also provides advice for NSW agencies to inform decisions required to protect the community and the environment in relation to matters such as the consumption of potentially PFAS-contaminated water and/or produce, and the use of ground and surface water in areas potentially affected by offsite contamination.

2. Functions and Role of the Expert Panel

The functions of the Expert Panel are to:

1. Assess available information on PFAS contamination from identified sites and advise agencies on factors influencing the retention of the temporary measures already in place and the need for any additional measures to manage potential risks, including bore water usage, recreational and commercial fishing and agricultural activities.
2. Provide advice to the EPA on whether and what additional investigations or studies are needed to be undertaken by identified polluters and their consultants, to assist in refining risk assessment and management measures related to PFAS contamination.
3. Review and provide advice on proposed remediation strategies to address migration of contamination, the need for further investigations and/or long-term monitoring, and reporting mechanisms for the data and information obtained from these activities.
4. Provide a source of informed expert advice to the EPA on guidance, communication and engagement with the local community and relevant stakeholders.
5. Review and advise on a PFAS National Management Framework in relation to NSW processes and in accordance with requests or guidance as requested by the Prime Minister & Cabinet PFAS Taskforce.

The Expert Panel operates for a 12-month term. The EPA Chair and CEO reviews this term on an annual basis and renews it if required.

The Expert Panel was led by NSW Chief Scientist & Engineer Professor Mary O'Kane and consisted of a range of technical experts in contamination and health.  It also included senior representatives from the Environment Protection Authority (EPA), the Department of Health, the Department of Primary Industries and the Hunter Water Corporation.

The Expert Panel was established to explore the nature and extent of contamination from fire-fighting foams used historically at Williamtown RAAF base and recommend next steps.

The Panel provided scientific advice to the EPA and other NSW Government agencies to inform decisions relating to the protection of the community and the environment.

The Expert Panel worked in partnership and consulted regularly with the Williamtown Contamination Investigation Community Reference Group to ensure the community remained informed and updated.

Terms of Reference

1. Purpose

2. Functions and Role of the Expert Panel

1. Assess available information on contamination from the Williamtown RAAF Base and advise agencies on factors influencing the retention of the temporary measures already in place and the need for any additional measures to manage potential risks, including to recreational and commercial fishing, oyster harvesting, bore water usage and agricultural activities
2. Provide advice to the EPA on whether and what additional investigations or studies are needed to be undertaken by the Department of Defence and their consultants, to assist in refining risk assessment and management measures related to the PFOS and PFOA contamination originating from the Williamtown RAAF Base
3. Review and provide advice on proposed remediation strategies to be undertaken by the Department of Defence to address migration of contamination from the Williamtown RAAF Base and advice on the need for further investigations and/or long-term monitoring, and reporting mechanisms for the data and information from these activities
4. Provide a source of informed expert advice to the EPA and through them to the Department of Defence on guidance to the local community and relevant stakeholders. The Expert Panel will operate for 12 months from the date of its formation. The term of the Expert Panel can be extended by the EPA Chair and CEO if required.

The Panel was extended until 30 June 2017. It has since transitioned into the NSW PFAS Expert Panel, above.

Further Information

• The NSW Government PFAS Investigation Program
• NSW EPA information and advice
• NSW Health Fact Sheet: PFOS and PFOA – Williamtown RAAF Site Contamination

Contact

For more information please contact:

• NSW Department of Defence call 1800 011 443
• NSW Environment Line on 131 555
• For specific health inquiries call 1300 066 055
• For information on Fisheries closures call 4982 1232
• NSW Food Authority Helpline call 1300 552 406