Contamination affected Oakey residents to get $55m in Federal Govt assistance

A GROUP of residents have marched to the gate of the Oakey Army Aviation Base to demand assistance from the Defence Department. Today the Federal government announced an assistance package for affected residents.

Oakey residents have been exposed to toxic chemicals PFOS and PFOA. Picture: Mark Calleja

• Oakey groundwater contaminated by army aviation base chemicals
• Oakey mum devastated after toxic chemicals contaminate bore water
• Oakey water contamination: Ministerial snub for toxic town
• Oakey water contamination: Defence refuses residents’ requests to pay for blood tests

THE Federal government has announced a significant assistance package for Oakey residents and others in communities impacted by Defence base contamination.

In a statement released this morning, the Turnbull government committed $55 million to fund voluntary blood tests and mental health counselling services for residents.

The moves comes after increased pressure by locals and media of the last two weeks to subsidise blood tests to determine the levels of toxic chemicals PFOS and PFOA residents have been exposed to.

The package will include a study to look at potential health patterns, causes of health conditions and exposure levels to PFOS and PFOA.

“The Turnbull Coalition will fund a voluntary blood-testing program for residents living within the investigation areas,” the statement read.

“We will also establish dedicated mental health and counselling services in all affected communities and appoint a dedicated Community Liaison Officer to connect residents with these services”.

About 30 people marched to the gate of the Oakey Army Aviation Base this morning to demand assistance from the Defence Department.

The group drafted a letter to the head of the base, Mark O’Connell, imploring him to hear their plea for voluntary land acquisition, health support and a comprehensive study of the town.

The crowd was encouraged by the Federal Government’s $55m assistance package announcement this morning, which will assist those who need blood tests and mental health counselling.

A base staff member took the group’s letter, saying he would pass it on to the appropriate parties for perusal.

The package will fund voluntary blood tests and mental health counselling services for residents. Picture: Mark Calleja