❓ Question regarding PFAS contamination near Jandakot Airport and the State Government's response, deferring responsibility to the Commonwealth. Focus on water testing, alternative water supply, and potential rezoning.
AnsweredQoN 661Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to a PerthNow article, published on Friday 12 September, titled “Jandakot residents trapped with ‘unsellable’ rural properties due to groundwater contaminated with PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances)”, and I ask: (a) what investigations has the State Government undertaken to determine whether the contamination affecting properties on and around Clements Place and north of Bandicoot Reserve did indeed originate from Jandakot Airport; (b) since residents were advised of the contamination, how many times has the groundwater of affected areas been tested; (c) have residents been provided with any compensation for the issues caused by the groundwater contamination; (d) how often does the State Government receive updates on the Australian Government’s investigation into the provision of Commonwealth-provided firefighting services, which used PFAS-containing foams, to civilian airports (of which Jandakot airport was one), which commenced in March 2024; (e) what solutions has the State Government and/or Water Corporation explored to decontaminate the groundwater; and (f) will the State Government fast track the rezoning of the affected properties so subdivision can occur and scheme water can be connected, providing residents with clean drinking water, so they no longer need to rely on deliveries?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
18 November 2025
Responded by
Leader of the House representing the Minister for Water
Response time
9 days
(a) No investigations have been undertaken by the State Government in this instance. The Commonwealth are the party responsible for the contamination and are responsible for investigations and remediation. This is consistent with the State Government’s position regarding similar contamination issues at other Commonwealth airports and defence bases.
(b) Groundwater sampling in the affected areas has focussed to date on point-of-use testing - that is to say, the testing of water sampled from residents’ domestic bores, taps or sprinklers - as this informs which properties require alternative sources of water. The sampling program was designed following a water-use survey of residents across a wide area of possible impacts. I understand that residents in the most impacted area have had their water tested at least twice, although some properties may have received additional sampling and testing based on specific aspects of their water use. In addition, sampling of groundwater monitoring bores is being carried out in two monitoring events (autumn and spring 2025) as part of a detailed site investigation commissioned by the Commonwealth Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts (DITRDCSA).
(c) Jandakot Airport Holdings Pty Ltd (the operator of Jandakot Airport) and more recently the Australian Government, have provided alternative drinking water supply to affected households since December 2022.
(d) Meetings with DITRDCSA are held every three months, attended by representatives from the WA Departments of Health; Water and Environmental Regulation; and Premier and Cabinet.
(e) As per the response to (a), any consideration of remedial solutions is the responsibility of the Commonwealth. However, the State Government is aware that treatment to remove PFAS may not be feasible, and solutions for affected property owners are likely to focus on options for provision of alternative water supply.
(f) This question should be referred to Hon John Carey MLA, Minister for Planning and Lands.
(b) Groundwater sampling in the affected areas has focussed to date on point-of-use testing - that is to say, the testing of water sampled from residents’ domestic bores, taps or sprinklers - as this informs which properties require alternative sources of water. The sampling program was designed following a water-use survey of residents across a wide area of possible impacts. I understand that residents in the most impacted area have had their water tested at least twice, although some properties may have received additional sampling and testing based on specific aspects of their water use. In addition, sampling of groundwater monitoring bores is being carried out in two monitoring events (autumn and spring 2025) as part of a detailed site investigation commissioned by the Commonwealth Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts (DITRDCSA).
(c) Jandakot Airport Holdings Pty Ltd (the operator of Jandakot Airport) and more recently the Australian Government, have provided alternative drinking water supply to affected households since December 2022.
(d) Meetings with DITRDCSA are held every three months, attended by representatives from the WA Departments of Health; Water and Environmental Regulation; and Premier and Cabinet.
(e) As per the response to (a), any consideration of remedial solutions is the responsibility of the Commonwealth. However, the State Government is aware that treatment to remove PFAS may not be feasible, and solutions for affected property owners are likely to focus on options for provision of alternative water supply.
(f) This question should be referred to Hon John Carey MLA, Minister for Planning and Lands.
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