Nationals Member for Cootamundra, Steph Cooke, says a new report from the NSW Select Committee on PFAS Contamination in Waterways and Drinking Water Supplies makes it clear the Minns Labor Government has been asleep at the wheel.
Following an extensive inquiry, the Committee has found the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) breached the precautionary principle and failed to prioritise the safety of those living near or using the Belubula River.
The precautionary principle requires government agencies to err on the side of caution and protect public health when risks are uncertain.
The committee deemed the EPA’s regulatory response to PFAS contamination in the Belubula River inadequate, finding:
In failing to erect signs along the river immediately after the contamination was discovered – warning against swimming and fishing until testing had been completed – the EPA did not act in line with the precautionary principle (Finding 7).
The EPA’s delay of more than eight months to test fish in the Belubula River, despite earlier tests showing dangerously high PFAS levels in carp, was unacceptable (Finding 8).
During the inquiry, Dr Ian Wright, Associate Professor in Environmental Science at Western Sydney University, confirmed that no warning signs had been erected along the river.
EPA Executive Director Stephen Beaman conceded that while no advice had been issued against swimming, people should not enter the foam.
The committee found this to be a clear failure to protect community health and safety, and again inconsistent with the precautionary principle.
The inquiry also concluded that community members are spending significant amounts of their own money and resources to test for PFAS in local waterways.
Nationals Member for Cootamundra and Shadow Minister for Water, Steph Cooke, is urging the EPA to immediately implement Recommendation 11 of the report, which requires the agency to inform the community about possible PFAS contamination in the Belubula River and to advise against any contact with foam in the area.
“This inquiry has exposed a series of unforgivable failures by the Environment Protection Authority to prioritise the health and safety of residents along the Belubula River,” Ms Cooke said.
“The EPA must now put boots on the ground and provide clear, accessible advice to residents without delay, particularly as more PFAS-contaminated foam was recently detected, and again by locals at their own expense.”
Ms Cooke, who helped draft the inquiry’s terms of reference, said it is imperative that the NSW Labor Government scrutinise the advice provided by NSW Health regarding PFAS contamination, with the committee finding that advice has not been consistent with the precautionary principle.
She is also calling for dedicated funding to support PFAS testing and monitoring, treatment, and alternative water sources for communities where primary supplies have been contaminated.
“This report makes it clear the NSW Labor Government has been asleep at the wheel, ignoring repeated warning signs,” Ms Cooke said.
“Now is the time to act on these findings, show real leadership, and put the safety of our communities where it belongs which is at the top of the government’s priority list.”
