$300 million for RAAF base, nothing for residents hit by contamination FEATURED Williamtown, Salt Ash by News Of The Area - Modern Media - August 31, 2016 Senator Lee Rhiannon and Senate candidates Michael Osborne and Jane Oakley talk to Williamtown residents. GREENS NSW Senator Lee Rhiannon has commented on Defence Industry Minister Christopher Pyne’s announcement of a further $300 million of extended defence contracts at Williamtown RAAF base. Minister Pyne failed to provide any detail when he states that the Coalition government was ‘very concerned’ about the contamination issue and that government agencies were working with Defence to support the community. “It is almost one year since the community were first notified about the contamination, and the sense of frustration is immense.” Want your business advertised online with the News Of The Area? With 11,383 page-views over the last one month, you’ll reach your online audience & customers. Email us today for a quote: ads@mcnota.com.au “Pyne should walk a few hundred metres off the base and go and talk to the community about what they are going through,” Senator Rhiannon said. “The Greens want to see all excavation works on the Williamtown RAAF base suspended until a thorough investigation of the impact of PFC contamination at the site is made public.” “We do not want to see the issue exacerbated due to upgrades, and we share the concerns of hydrologists and community action groups that sand mining and excavation workers may interfere with ground water flow and mobilise contaminants.“ Senator Rhiannon said, “Importantly, we want to make sure that all current and former workers on and nearby the RAAF base, including Defence’s own staff and contractors, are given a thorough briefing of the issues and are supported with ample information and health tests. Anything less is negligent.”
