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A settlement has been reached between the Australian government and residents of three communities who have experienced ground water contamination from the use of toxic firefighting foams at Defence bases until the early 2000s.
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Residents from Williamtown in NSW, Oakey in Queensland, and Katherine in the Northern Territory had each brought class actions. They contended that the Department of Defence was liable for depressed land values and business outlooks.
It has been found that widespread use of per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) for liquid fire fighting purposes had contaminated ground water in each community. PFAS belongs in a group of chemicals that do not break down and instead can accumulate in soil.
Authorities have found that PFOS and PFOA chemicals (types of PFAS) can cause major health effects in laboratory animals.
In a joint statement from the Minister for Defence, Linda Reynolds, and the Minister for Veterans Affairs, Darren Chester, the government said the parties were finalising the confidential terms of a settlement.
"The Australian government has reached an in-principle agreement to settle three Federal Court of Australia class actions relating to per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)," the statement said.
"These terms are confidential and are subject to formal consideration and approval by the Federal Court of Australia."
"It gives people a future — that's the fundamental thing that had been taken away from us, our properties are now not fit for purpose, and because of the stigma of the contamination, the property values have collapsed," Lindsay Clout, the president of the coalition against PFAS, said in a statement to the ABC.
"Defence has committed huge amounts of money to clean up the base, and they're making good headway on it, but the fight's not over because the clean-up continues.
"There are a lot of other communities across the country that are starting the journey similar to ours, but what's happened will certainly give them hope there is a future for them."
Defence said in the statement that "Defence sees itself as part of the fabric of these communities and the government remains committed to engaging with those impacted by PFAS contamination".
It also said that it recognised the "difficult journey for many people over the past few years".
"The government remains committed to concluding the environmental investigations into PFAS contamination on and near Defence facilities across Australia, and to the ongoing monitoring and engagement with communities once investigations are complete," the statement said.
