EPA has been investigating and managing contamination at Country Fire Authority (CFA) training centres since 2012. Our early investigations were focused on CFA's Fiskville training centre.
EPA’s role at Fiskville
EPA issued remedial notices in 2013 that required CFA to:
- develop and implement a contamination cleanup plan
- conduct s.53V and s.53X environmental audits.
The s.53V environmental audit identified the extent of contamination, site cleanup and monitoring requirements. The audit was completed in 2014. It included extensive testing at the training centre and on surrounding land. CFA used the audit findings and recommendations to develop the site cleanup plan.
EPA issued notices to regulate on-site rehabilitation and clean-up activities, including a s.53X environmental audit. This work has been completed, with the audit submitted in May 2021. CFA continues to manage and monitor the site.
You can access environmental audit reports using our online tool.
We have also issued a notice for CFA to conduct more offsite testing and risk assessment, to determine the extent and levels of offsite PFAS contamination. A s.53V environmental audit was completed in March 2021 and a clean-up plan was developed. The current notice requires the clean-up plan be implemented. CFA have started clean-up activities on the impacted properties.
EPA’s role at other CFA training centres
In 2015, EPA issued remedial notices to CFA for its training centres at:
- Penshurst
- Wangaratta
- Longerenong
- Huntly
- Fulham (Sale)
- Bangholme.
The notices required CFA to assess soil, groundwater and surface water contamination from their past use of the sites. PFAS was a key contaminant of focus. CFA also had to develop and implement environment management plans for wastewater from fire training.
CFA have completed two s.53V environmental audits for Penshurst training centre. You can access environmental audits using our online tool.
After reviewing the completed assessments and environmental audits, we issued CFA with further notices requiring extensive upgrades at their training facilities. These works have been completed and the notices revoked. Improved practices and infrastructure at the training facilities will prevent contamination in the future and protect human health and the environment. CFA continues to undertake ongoing management and monitoring at the training sites.
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Reviewed 27 September 2023
