PFAS Inquiry Exposures Shocking EPA Inaction To Protect Communities Along Belubula River

Following an extensive inquiry, the NSW Select Committee on PFAS Contamination in Waterways and Drinking Water Supplies has found that 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:

• Community members are spending sig­nificant amounts of their own money and resources to test for PFAS in local wa­terways (Finding 9).

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.”