Albion Park Site - Environmental investigation

Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) has commenced investigation works at its Albion Park training site (located at Airport Road) to better understand the presence of per- and fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) on and around this site.

The objective of this investigation is to identify the presence, nature, and extent of PFAS in the environment from the use of historical aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) at the site. Investigation findings will be used to identify site-specific management actions to address potential PFAS impacts.

The following stages of the investigation have now been completed. Documents are available under the reports section below.

  • In August 2016, a preliminary site investigation and sampling & analysis quality plan (PDF, 8MB) was completed which included a review of site history for AFFF use and identification of potential sources of PFAS.
  • An environmental site assessment (PDF, 34MB) including the surrounding area was then completed in April 2017. This included onsite and offsite sampling and laboratory analysis of groundwater, surface water, soils, and sediments to further understand the pathways for potential migration of PFAS from the site.
  • In October 2017, a more detailed environmental site assessment (PDF, 16MB) was completed. This included additional onsite and offsite sampling to allow further understanding of the pathways for potential migration of PFAS.
  • As part of the detailed environmental assessment, the community was asked to assist by completing a water use survey (PDF) to help identify how potentially contaminated water was being used. This water use survey was distributed to 176 people and a fact sheet was also distributed to 1,700 people within a 1.4 km radius of the site. You can read this fact sheet and others below.
  • In December 2017, a PFAS management options assessment (PDF) was prepared to inform management options to address onsite and offsite impacts in soil, groundwater, and surface water at the site.
  • Biota sampling (PDF 5MB) was then undertaken at Lake Illawarra in August 2018.
  • In February 2019, a site improvement plan (PDF, 12MB) was developed to address the management of contamination issues at the Albion Park training site.

Additional monitoring was also conducted at the end of 2021.

Next Steps

A sampling analysis and quality plan (SAQP) to address the data gaps identified in the action plan will be developed.

This plan will be reviewed and approved by the New South Wales Environment Protection Authority (NSW EPA) accredited site auditor commissioned by FRNSW. The implementation of the SAQP and associated results will be used to inform the next steps for the site.

To find out more information about this site please email FRNSW at: pfasinvestigation@fire.nsw.gov.au 

Reports

Fact sheets