Flooding increases military contamination risk

Shoalwater Wilderness Awareness Group (SWAG) spokesperson Steve Bishopric expressed concern on June 27 that the small community of Capricorn Coast on Queensland's central coast faced potential pollution from undisclosed military toxins as a result of the Talisman Sabre 2007 US-Australian war games at Shoalwater Bay.

The local water catchment is inside the training area. "June has been exceptionally wet, with the biggest flooding I've seen in my 30 years here and run-off from the entire catchment, including the military's largest facility at Samual Hill (located under 1km from tributaries) is currently pouring into the Waterpark Creek reservoir", Bishopric said.

SWAG has been requesting tests and the public release of known data for two-and-a-half years but received no information. The Livingstone Shire Council has promised to test the water supply, but the undisclosed nature of weaponry being used in the training exercises means there is uncertainty about what to test for. SWAG has provided information and advice about the severe health problems suffered by other communities living near military bases and exercises.

"Federal funding is needed to provide independent, expert, air and water monitoring and to research health problems being suffered by other communities. Without disclosure and substantial funding, as is provided for military access roads, the community has real reasons for concern about their environment and heath and safety", Bishopric said.

From GLW issue 716