Munmorah and Colongra Power Stations
Munmorah and Colongra Power Stations
Under the EPA’s PFAS Investigation Program, Generator Property Management Pty Ltd and Snowy Hydro Limited investigated PFAS (per-and-poly-fluroalkyl substances) contamination stemming from the historical use of fire-fighting foams at the Munmorah and Colongra sites.
Investigations found PFAS onsite and at the end of the canals at the Colongra and Munmorah power stations, however, seafood from the Tuggerah Lakes system remains safe to eat.
The detection of PFAS is not unexpected given the past use of PFAS-containing fire-fighting foams at the sites. PFAS has also been used in many domestic and industrial products and background levels may be present from these other sources.
Detailed investigations have revealed that groundwater is generally moving towards the centre of the Munmorah and Colongra sites, meaning that exposure to PFAS from the groundwater is limited.
Munmorah Power Station
The EPA has declared some parts of Munmorah Power Station as significantly contaminated land under the Contaminated Land Management Act 1997.
The area covered by the declaration includes the areas of land at the source of the hydrocarbon and PFAS contamination on the site. Other areas of the former Munmorah Power Station will continue to be managed under the existing environment protection licence no 759.
To guide the next stage of the remediation process, the EPA has approved a Voluntary Management Proposal (VMP) for the site. As part of this first phase, Generator Property Management Pty Ltd will work with environmental consultants to gather more detailed information about the contamination. This will improve understanding of how contaminants move through soil and water, helping to determine the most effective remediation approach.
The EPA will oversee this process to ensure all activities meet strict environmental and safety standards. Given the scale and complexity of the project, thorough site investigations are essential to ensuring the best long-term environmental outcomes for the area.
Assessment of PFAS and hydrocarbon contamination has shown that the potential for any off-site risks to human health is low.
As part of the EPA’s regulation, the EPA will require Generator Property Management Pty Ltd to demonstrate how key stakeholders and the community will be kept up to date with the progress of the clean-up.
Dietary advice
Food Standards Australia and New Zealand recommends that people consume no more than 2-3 serves of seafood a week as part of a balanced diet.
Local fishing advice
It’s important to remember that no fishing within the power station’s canals or water systems is permitted. A pre-existing ban on net fishing in Budgewoi Creek and the seasonal night time ban on fishing in the Munmorah Power House outlet canal or Budgewoi Lake is not related to PFAS. These are long-standing closures unrelated to the declaration.
More information