Ex-HMAS Adelaide scuttling off Avoca Beach

The National Board of Surfrider Foundation Australia is supporting local surfers in their bid to get iron-clad assurances on the removal of all potential toxins before the Ex-HMAS Adelaide is scuttled off Avoca Beach.

The Chairman of Surfrider Foundation, Dr Rex Campbell, says the onus is on the State Government to show that all possible toxic pollutants had been removed from Ex-HMAS Adelaide and to monitor for any ongoing contamination from the scuttling.

HMAS Adelaide

Toxic pollutants the ship was home to included polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs used in transformers and capacitors), chloroflurocarbons (CFCs and other refrigerant chemicals), hydrocarbons, asbestos, plastics, high pressure cylinders, and heavy metals such as chromate, lead, mercury, copper and zinc.

Surfrider Foundation recently acted on behalf of concerned local surfers to gain written assurances from the Land and Property Management Authority that all contaminants would be removed before scuttling.

“Promises were given but Surfrider Foundation is always worried when the ocean is used as a dumping ground. We will persist in seeing that the promised long term contamination monitoring of shell fish begins, so that in five years time we don’t find that local Avoca surfers or divers have instead become the contaminant indicator organism.” Dr Campbell said.

“Surfrider Foundation’s role as a community stakeholder included consultation on aspects of the project. We do not endorse the project, but along with other stakeholders, wish to achieve the best possible outcomes.” said Dr Campbell.

Surfrider Foundation is a not for profit organisation dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of Australia’s oceans, waves and beaches for all people, through CARE: Conservation, Activism, Research and Education.

For more information, to become a Member, or to express interest in participation on a Central Coast Branch of Surfrider Foundation Australia, please email info@surfrider.org.au or see www.surfrider.org.au.

For comment please call Brendan Donohoe, Brendan Donohoe, National Director, Surfrider Foundation Australia 0422 900 501

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