Traces of toxic chemicals from firefighting foam have been found in Rapid and Ludmilla creeks in Darwin. Tests by the community group Save Rapid Creek found levels of PFOS, a toxic chemical, above US EPA safe drinking water limits. The NT Environment Protection Authority confirmed the results but the Department of Defence has not commented. There are calls for further testing and health warnings about consuming water or seafood from the creeks.

1. FRIDAY MAY 6 2016 NEWS 07
V1 - NTNE01Z01MA
TODAY is Starlight Children’s
Foundation’s major fund-
raising event, a day the nation-
al charity aims to raise more
than $1.3 million to brighten
the lives of more than 33,000
seriously ill children and their
firmed its own tests showed
similar results. Sampling was
conducted in Darwin after the
toxic chemicals were discov-
Joey and Hanna Misener will join in on the fun at Starlight’s Family Fun Day at Kingpin to help raise funds for the charity. Picture: MICHAEL FRANCHi
DON’TMISS
TOMORROW’S
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SATURDAY
EXTRA
WHATMAKES
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JUSTICETICK?
FRONTIER
IT’SWHAT
MUMS
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SATURDAYEXTRA
MEETTHE
OUTSTATIONMOB
Defence holds silence
over toxicity of creeks
THE Department of Defence
has remained tight-lipped
amid revelations traces of toxic
chemicals from firefighting
foam has been found in Rapid
and Ludmilla creeks.
The NT News reported yes-
terday that tests carried out by
the Save Rapid Creek com-
munity group revealed PFOS
levels at multiple points in
both creeks were above the US
EPA safe level for drinking
water. The NT Environment
Protection Authority con-
ered near Williamtown RAAF
Base in NSW last year.
Requests for comment from
Defence have gone unans-
wered for two days.
The results prompted a
warning from Dr Mariann
Lloyd-Smith from the Nation-
al Toxics Network that people
should not drink water or eat
any seafood from the creeks
until full testing was complet-
ed. But the Territory’s chief
health officer, Dr Dinesh Arya,
said further test were needed
before the Department of
Health would put out a warn-
ing not to eat seafood from the
creeks.
He said creeks in Darwin’s
northern suburbs were not rec-
ommended sources for drink-
ing water in any case.
Yesterday community
group Save Rapid Creek
changed the NT EPA’s sign
out the front of their Salonika
St office to the NT ESA (Envi-
ronmental Secrets Authority).
Save Rapid Creek spokes-
man Andrew Arthur said it was
to show the group had lost
faith in the transparency of the
establishment.
He said it has been more
than two years since the EPA
promised to release a report
into the water quality at Rapid
Creek.
Northern Territory Envi-
ronment Protection Authority
chair Dr Bill Freeland, said the
NT EPA had gathered the data
but the process of compiling
the report had taken longer
than anticipated “due to an
abundance of recurring higher
priority imposts”.
Environment Minister
Gary Higgins didn’t want to
comment on the issue.
JILL POULSEN
Thief steals
van delivering
the NT News
A DELIVERY van carrying
yesterday’s edition of the NT
News was stolen and allegedly
involved in an attempt to run
down a Territory police officer.
Police arrested a man, 29,
after he jumped in the van
while papers were being de-
livered to the Puma service sta-
tion on Smith St just after
midnight.
The thief sped off and alleg-
edly drove the stolen van
straight at a police officer sta-
tioned at an RBT site. The man
was charged with seven offen-
ces, including recklessly en-
dangering life, aggravated
unlawful use of a motor vehicle
and low range drink driving.
Territory Duty Superin-
tendent Brendan Muldoon
said the officer was able to
jump clear of the oncoming
van and avoid injury.
“Just after midnight, the
van pulled into the Puma ser-
vice station on Smith St and
jumped out to deliver some pa-
pers and left the car running
and someone jumped in,” he
said.
“He drove around the cor-
ner and into an RBT site where
he allegedly tried to run over a
police officer then he crashed
the van just around the corner.
“It took about half an hour
to catch up to him. Officers
cordoned off the area and
eventually we located him.”
Bundles of the NT News
were reportedly strewn across
Smith St after the theft. There
were some delays to paper de-
liveries yesterday morning, but
the majority of the papers
made it to retailers.
Area Plan gets
nod for Tollner
FOLLOWING extensive com-
munity, government and in-
dustry consultation, the NT
Planning Commission has rec-
ommended the Darwin Mid
Suburbs Area Plan to the Min-
ister for Lands and Planning
David Tollner.
It is anticipated the Minis-
ter will exhibit the draft Area
Plan for 28 days as a proposed
amendment to the Northern
Territory Planning Scheme.
Planning Commission
Chairman Gary Nairn said de-
velopment of the Mid Suburbs
Area Plan was an important
step in providing responsible
strategic plans for Darwin over
the next 40 to 50 years.
He said the plan responded
to expected population growth
and was developed after con-
sultation with residents of the
Mid Suburbs as well as local
government, community and
industry groups.
Striking way to raise funds for kids’ charity
families. And it’s right up King-
pin Bowling’s alley.
Kingpin Group and Corpor-
ate BDE Rachel Brickhill said
Starlight was a fantastic char-
ity aligned with their brand.
“We will be donating $2
from every game of bowling,
laser or roped to Starlight for
the whole day,” she said. “All
moneys raised will go to the
Starlight Children’s Foun-
dation in the Territory.”
Starlight CEO Louise Bax-
ter said hospitals could be a
“scary place” for a seriously ill
child, and Starlight aimed to
brighten the experience.
“We need the support of the
community more than ever be-
fore,” she said.
“Demand for our programs
continues to increase and this
July we aim to open a new
Starlight Express Room at the
Royal Darwin Hospital.”
Kingpin Bowling’s Family
Fun Day will see Captain Star-
light make an appearance, Mix
FM broadcasting live and Star-
light volunteers selling mer-
chandise and collecting
donations.
î For more information , or
to make a donation, visit
www.starlight.org.au
LAUREN ROBERTS
Andrew Arthur