Millions in PFAS compo reaches affected Katherine residents
KATHERINE landowners have finally started to receive $92.5m in federal compensation for a landmark class action over PFAS contamination this week
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KATHERINE landowners have finally started to receive $92.5m in federal compensation for a landmark class action over PFAS contamination this week.
Shine Lawyers’ class actions practice leader Joshua Aylward said approximately $92.5m would be distributed to the 1700 eligible Katherine residents.
Class action member and retired Katherine GP Peter John Spafford said while the payout was a step in the right direction, it was still inadequate.
“It’s still a meagre amount we’re getting at the end of the day,” Mr Spafford said.
“It’s not enough to relocate. It’s not enough to compensate for the fact that we still can’t use our water for washing the veggies of anything.”
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On February 26 last year, Shine Lawyers reached an in-principle agreement with the Department of Defence, achieving justice for Katherine residents in areas where land values had been affected by the historic use of toxic firefighting foam at government military bases.
In June, Federal Court Justice Michael Lee approved the federal government’s $212.5m settlement.
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Katherine group members were awarded $92.5m, with Oakey group members receiving $25.1m.
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