The Commonwealth has settled with 30,000 claimants in a class action over PFAS contamination from firefighting foam at seven sites across the country.
The Commonwealth has settled a class action over PFAS contamination from firefighting foam at seven sites across the country.About 30,000 claimants will be paid $132.7m from the Commonwealth over historic contamination of regional towns
The settlement follows a $212m PFAS payout for property value loss and distress in Katherine, Oakey, and Williamtown PFAS is a broad name for 4,700 heat-resistant chemicals that were found to be toxic in groundwater near air force basesThe claim alleged landowners at the sites were exposed to poisonous chemicals in firefighting foam used at military bases, after it leached into groundwater.The cities and towns all have Defence bases where firefighters historically used firefighting foam containing PFAS, until the early 2000s.
PFAS — or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances — is the broad name for 4,700 chemicals that do not break down, and instead accumulate in soil, water and human bodies. In settlement, Justice Michael Lee told the court he was glad the "difficult task" of getting the parties to agree was over.The settlement will still need to be approved by the court in a hearing.A previous settlement over groundwater contamination in Katherine near RAAF Base Tindal in the Northern Territory, Williamtown near Newcastle, and communities in Queensland’s town of Oakey saw the Commonwealth pay $212.5 million in early 2021.
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