Health over money: PFAS payouts divide Katherine

COMPENSATION offered to Katherine residents in response to PFAS contamination hasn’t settled the situation for everyone, with some still concerned over how the contamination is being handled

THE PFAS compensation payouts to Katherine residents aren’t enough and instead there needs to be proof the water quality has no adverse health effects, some locals say.

The $92.5m compensation pool has begun to be paid out to residents over contamination of PFAS in the town’s water supply.

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However, Katherine renter Merlyn Smith, who was ineligible as she didn’t own a home, says she’s more focused on her health and being able to drink and live with potable water than the remuneration.

Ms Smith said the amount of money given to residents would not cover the cost of moving if the water supply was proved to still be unpotable.

“(I won’t be satisfied) until there’s a law saying it’s illegal to expose a township to contaminated water,” she said.

Ms Smith said the situation was hypocritical.

The PFAS Treatment Plant under construction in Katherine. Picture: Supplied

“These chemicals are used to protect those expensive (military) assets, apparently they are meant to protect our assets. Somewhere down the line we’re going to have to get lawyers to protect us against these guys,” she said.

“This is the town of Katherine, it’s not just RAAF base Tindal.”

However Katherine homeowner Toni Tapp-Coutts said she wasn’t as worried about the contamination, rather she thought the compensation would be of great benefit to the local economy.

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“Most of the people I’m talking to are grateful for the money and a couple of people close to me, it will be life changing for them,” she said.

Katherine Town Council received a $1.6m payout that will be used to offset rate increases, previously planned as per the council’s Long Term Financial Plan, as well as provide municipal services.

“Utilising the funds to keep the rates down for next financial year will assist to make up the arrears from last year where we didn’t increase the rates at all,” Mayor Lis Clark said.

“This is a much better result for all ratepayers and residents as council services extend to everyone living in Katherine.”