PFAS contamination inquiry recommends possible land buybacks

Tamworth airport and the surrounding waterways are contained with the chemicals, commonly found in foam used in Australian Defence Force fire-fighting drills.

So far, the government has wiped its hands of any responsibility, leaving it to Tamworth Regional Council to foot the bill for the testing and clean up of the local contamination.

Tamworth councillor Russell Webb been vocal in the need for the federal government to take some form of action.

While he believes the recommendations warrant further investigation, he doubts the government will take them on board until it has more information about if and how PFAS is harmful.

The government hasn’t acknowledged the potential health effects of the chemicals, despite being linked to a slew of problems, including immune suppression and cancer. Cr Webb said since raising the issue, he’s fielded the calls of “councils from all over the place”.

“They don’t know where to go either, so we’re not alone in this,” he said.

“The best advice I can give them is to stand up and fight for their residents.”