SUBMISSION TO THE SENATE INQUIRY RAAF BASE, PFOS AND PFOA CONTAMINATION DECEMBER 2015 Fred Haskins Fullerton Cove 2318 Back Ground I am 69 year old 3rd generation farmer, having been so for most of my working life, I have been a member of the NSW Farmers Association, for many years, during which time I have been an elected representative. (Executive Councillor, currently Region 7 Chair). The property at 272 Fullerton Cove Road, is currently owned by Gary and Elizabeth So, 3rd generation Australian Chinese farmers of Cantonese decent. The farm was originally purchase by Gary’s grandfather and operated as a Chinese market garden until the early 1970s. Gary and his cousin operate one of the largest Chinese Market Gardens at Kemps Creek Western Sydney, supplying fresh Asian vegetables to Harris Farm Markets. The Kemps Creek area has been earmarked for future urban expansion in the very near future, so as a result the decision was made to re-activate the farm at Fullerton Cove so as to be able to continue his business of supplying Asian vegetables to Harris Farm Markets. It was also decided that due to the increased high demand for organic food, this farm would be prepared to go down the path of Organic Certification. DESCRIPTION OF AREA LAYOUT AND SOIL MAKEUP The land to the east of Fullerton Cove is a low lying swampy area less than one metre above sea level, which then meet sand dune rises as nears the Pacific Ocean. The soil is made up of about 300 to 450 millimetres of black Hunter River flood plain Soil over 150 millimetres of clay, which is above sea sand ( The Tomago Sand Beds). The water table varies from at the surface level to approximately one metre below the surface during summer. The swamps are drained by numerous drain constructed at some time in the early 1900s, to allow the land to be used for agriculture ( mainly dairies and horticulture). The drainage systems were routinely maintained so as to keep the land productive. Since the decline of commercial agriculture and the land use more to rural lifestyle blocks, the maintenance of the drains has ceased. There are two main drains which run East to West, ( the fourteen foot drain and the ten foot drain) from East of and South of the RAAF Base to the north eastern shores of Fullerton Cove, where they discharge into the Circle Drain which runs from the northern shoreline of the Cove following the eastern shoreline, discharging into the Cove several kilometres south. Dawsons Drain runs north south draining surface water from the western side of The RAAF Base into the Circle Drain near the junctions of the Fourteen Foot Drain. PFOS AND PFOA CONTAMINATION There are two reported methods that the contaminatants are continuing (A) Groundwater via the Tomago Sand Beds, (B) Surface water via the complex drainage channels. Obviously the ground water contamination spread will be very difficult to control or remediate, however the contamination spread by the surface water by the drainage channels could be controlled or at least restricted so as not to further contaminate uncontaminated areas. The following shows a development plan application submitted to Port Stephens Shire council to construct a significant green house over the fourteen foot drain which has diverted contaminated surface run-off water into the ten foot drain. The plan does not appear to show rainwater roof runoff retention reservoir for this very large green house. The diversion of the water during heavy rainfall combined with the water shed from the green house will increase inundation of the land bounding these and the Circle Drain, thereby creating further contamination. RECOMMENDATIONS 1. That urgent maintenance cleaning of all artillery drains be instigated. 2. That Port Stephens Council (a) ensure all environmental requirements are implemented regarding water and nutrient discharges from Maria's Veggie Farm. (b) That a full impact study be carried out with regards to showing flow and flood implication resulting from the closure and diversion of waters from the fourteen foot drain into the Ten Foot drain. (c) That water flow from Dawsons Drain the Fourteen Foot Drain and Ten Foot drain exit into Fullerton Cove via the original drainage system at the northeast area of the Cove rather being diverted South via the Circle Drain to the flood gates. 3. That the Red Zone be extended to cover the drainage channels which disperse surface water from the contaminated area. 4. That both water and soil testing be carried out on an area 500 metres either side of these main drainage channels . IMPACTS ON INDUSTRY COMMUNITY AND ENVIRONMENT The mental and financial impact on the owners and families of the primary industries either in or adjacent to the declared Red Zone has been substantial. The failure by both Federal and State Government Departments to adequately communicate with these agricultural industry group members has increased the anguish these farmers, fisherman, and prawn trawlers have suffered as a result of the contamination. The soil has been tested for the pollutant chemicals at my own expense , as I could not take the risk, both moral and financial of supplying vegetables that may have been grown in contaminated soils. The enforcement of commercial and recreational fishing bans have also affected those members of the community involved in tourism and service businesses. CONCLUSION It is apparent that the failure to notify the community of the contamination by the RAAF base when it was first discovered has angered the community, it likely resulted in a far wider area being contaminated. Substantial financial valuation losses to both business and land values are evident. Tourism is a significant industry in the Fullerton Cove which will also suffer as a result of the closure of waters for fishing. It is imperative that Government ensure that industry and community are informed as to the progress of remediation. .