The Defence Department has refused to elaborate on a brief comment made at last month’s defence meeting with Katherine residents where it was revealed the spread of contamination has been found in Katherine.

Firefighting foams containing the worrying PFAS family of chemicals had been used over many years in training at Tindal.

Lead defence spokesman Steve Grzeskowiak made a brief statement during his long speech saying more testing had been done since the first investigation had found contamination near Tindal (see video).

The Katherine Times immediately asked defence to offer more information to residents about the new testing which had never been divulged before.

After pressing for a response for three weeks, the department has provided an emailed response:

“Defence has conducted residential sampling within the Katherine area.

“These tests have been conducted at the requests of the residents to provide advice on levels of PFAS with the bore water on properties.

“While the results may be used to inform the detailed site investigation, it is primarily for advising residents.

“Defence has not been authorised by the residents to release the results.”

We have not yet received a response to further questions to defence on the extent and location of the testing, plus the results.

The department is supplying alternate water to 32 properties neighbouring Tindal “when a town water connection is not available, and there is a reliance on the use of a bore for drinking water”.

Defence said it would also provide water to residents if drinking water is sourced from a rainwater tank that contains, or has contained, bore water in the past.

Defence has not provided alternate water or the newly provided rainwater tanks to households in the Katherine area. 

Residents wishing to request an alternative drinking water supply can contact the RAAF Base Tindal hotline at:

Tindal Hotline Number: 1800 316 813
Email: PFAS.RAAFBaseTindal@coffey.com