Around 50 local residents attended the community information session at Nowra Hill Public School on Wednesday evening to hear about the environmental investigations currently being carried out at the base.

The Department of Defence has started environmental investigations to understand the possible extent and levels of chemicals which were historically used in fire fighting foams on the base.

The investigation is part of defence’s review of a number of sites around Australia to determine what impact historical use of fire fighting foams containing perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) or perfluorooctanoic acid (PDFOA) may have had on the soil, groundwater and surface water.

HMAS Albatross Commanding Officer, Captain Simon Bateman hosted the meeting saying the testing would be open and transparent.

Environmental contractors Aurecon Group are undertaking the investigations, taking samples of groundwater, surface water and sediments on base and in the surrounding area.

Those samples will assist in modelling to determine the extent of the chemicals in the area and if further in-depth testing if required.

Captain Bateman has also conducted information briefings to all Albatross base staff.

The meeting heard from former firefighter Colin Stubbs who said personnel had washed cars and even dishes in the chemicals if they had run out of detergent.

He said at no time did they wear personal protection.

Two other former firefighters who also attended the meeting, offered to consult with the testing contractors to help the investigation team know where the foams were historically used around the base and where training was carried out.

Residents questioned what possible contamination may have occurred to local water supplies due to the chemicals.

The meeting was told no identified health threat had been found at this stage but possible contamination issues from fire fighting foam was potentially a worldwide issue.

The meeting heard different countries have different standards but Australia did not have a standard recognised by the national health system but it was only early days of the chemicals possibly emerging as a persistent contaminant.

It is planned to hold a further community engagement session at the end of July or early August where the contractors should have some preliminary results and analysis of the testing to present to residents.

The issue of possible contamination of the Nowra Hill naval base came to light after groundwater contamination was found at Williamtown at Newcastle in 2012.

Defence is currently investigating the RAAF Base Williamtown, Oakey Army Aviation Centre and Albatross and has testing planned for RAAF Base Pearce and RAAF Base East Sale.

People can contact the environmental team on the community hotline: 1800 856 491, web www.defence.gov.au/id/albatrossor email HMAS .Albatross@aurecongroup.com