WITH the Williamtown RAAF Base contamination, our community is, quite rightly, very concerned about the potential impacts and the various government agency responses.
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It is a very difficult time for many of the affected residents, particularly those whose livelihoods are impacted.
It is also a very difficult time for the personnel on the RAAF Base Williamtown.
I don't believe it is widely appreciated that the personnel currently at RAAF Base Williamtown are not responsible for the contamination, nor are they responsible for the defence department response to the contamination.
The Department of Defence in Canberra is managing the response.
While I share the community's disappointment and frustration in the lack of answers provided at this week's community meeting, it's important to remember that the RAAF Base and its personnel play a very important role in our community and more critically, protecting our national interest.
I urge our community to work together to resolve the issues we are facing and be assured that I, and others, are doing all we can to see federal and state government agencies respond in a meaningful way.
Kate Washington
Member for Port Stephens