18 hours Ago By Clareese Packer
The NSW environmental watchdog has ordered the fresh testing of a popular beach potentially contaminated by cancer-causing “forever chemicals” after signs failed to alert swimmers and fishermen of the danger. Botany Bay’s Tower Beach – known as Commonwealth Beach and located next to Sydney Airport, could have been contaminated with cancer-causing “forever chemicals” known as per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Dietary advice was issued in 2018 for fish caught in the area after PFAS were found in some species.
According to the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) website, the PFAS contamination in the Botany Bay area stemmed from the historical use of firefighting foams at the Botany Industrial Park and Sydney Airport nearby. Sampling undertaken by Airservices Australia detected PFAS in surface and groundwater within the airport precinct and in some limited sampling of fish and sediments, according to the environmental watchdog. A NSW EPA spokeswoman on Wednesday confirmed fresh testing of the area had been ordered for the first time since 2018.
“In 2018 the NSW government proactively tested commonly caught fish in Botany Bay and the Georges River, including Tower Beach, in response to concerns about potential PFAS contamination,” the spokeswoman said. “The current precautionary dietary advice remains in place; however, PFAS use in firefighting foam is being phased out and any offsite impacts have been reduced over the last few years. “The EPA will arrange for further testing to confirm the precautionary dietary advice is still valid.
“We would also consider any results related to Sydney Airport shared by the airport or Commonwealth government.” The move comes after residents recently lashed authorities over claims there had been a lack of transparency surrounding the beach’s closure. Resident Terry Daly told Nine newspapers that he was frustrated after it took him months to find out why the beach was shut, having seen signs up at the beach in 2023.
“Tiny kids are playing on the sand there all the time,” Mr Daly said. A NSW EPA spokesman earlier said they had consistently expressed concern regarding PFAS contamination at Sydney Airport and continued to urge the Commonwealth government Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communication and the Arts to ensure remedial action was taken to protect the community and environment. “Transparency around the level of contamination is important to ensure community awareness,” the spokesman said.
“Since 2006, groundwater use restrictions have applied in the Botany Bay area, including a ban on groundwater use for domestic purposes. “In 2018, the NSW government released precautionary dietary advice regarding the consumption of fish from Botany Bay and the Georges River.” Sydney Airport and Botany Bay council both referred NewsWire to the EPA when asked about the fresh testing order.
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