By Sibanengi Dube
Melbourne Airport is insisting that poly- fluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) contamination which Keilor residents are complaining about is within accepted limited amounts and posing low risk to human health and the environment.
The Airport’s response followed renewed allegations during a council meeting where cr Virginia Tachos, accused the Airport of having stifled agriculture in Keilor by contaminating water sources.
Tachos moved a motion urging the council to write a letter Mr Lee Miezis, Chief Executive Officer Environment Protection Authority Victoria requesting an update and information on the status of PFAS contamination in the Brimbank area of the Sunbury Green Wedge.
“The Keilor Market Gardens land in particular the agricultural land in the Brimbank part of the Sunbury Greenwich
has created many challenges and many ongoing issues for land owners that are grappling for viable Economic Development and it’s quite uh clear from our discussions with them that they require more support hence why we’ve put this alternative motion about the constraints put on these landowners particularly by the Melbourne Airport through the PFAS contamination of the Water Source,” said Tachos.
The Airport spokesman poured cold water on the concerns, describing the contamination as “not significant.” He added that the Airport was attending to the concerns raised even though ongoing tests carried exonerated the airport from blame.
“Testing also showed PFAS-related health risks were low and acceptable at multiple properties which have used river water for irrigation over extended periods of time.
“Melbourne Airport engaged environmental specialists to assess potential risks related to PFAS levels in the river, and the investigations revealed that despite widespread irrigation over a long period, PFAS accumulation in soil was not a significant contributor to PFAS uptake in edible crops and produce,” said Airport spokesman.
The airport manages PFAS in conjunction with its tenants, EPA Victoria and the Commonwealth.
Melbourne Airport said it conducted soil and water testing and shared the results with nearby landowners. The airport maintained that no conclusive evidence of adverse PFAS poisoning has been found yet in Brimbank, adding that research was still ongoing in Keilor.
In addition to that the airport installed two water treatment plants on the airport estate, installing a soil treatment facility and fencing off livestock from waterways impacted by PFAS.
PFAS are manufactured chemicals, that do not break down easily, which are found in soils, surface water and groundwater in most urban areas and are often commonly concentrated at airports.
