Class action residents of Williamtown are set to receive $86-million-dollars of the Federal Government's $212.5-million-dollar PFAS contamination payout, which Patterson MP Meryl Swanson describes as a world-first win.
Three Australian communities suffered per-and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination to both their land and ground water, as a result of the toxic fire-fighting foam used in the area.
The 500 Red Zone class action group members are estimated to receive $172-thousand-dollars each, if the lump sum is divided evenly.
Some members estimate the PFAS contamination will decrease their properties value by 50%, and believe the proposed compensation figure is just not enough.
Members will have the opportunity to present their case before an individual administrator who will determine the size of their payouts, before the Government signs-off on the proposed compensation package.
"I do understand that there are members of our community here in Williamtown that have expressed disappointment in the figure, however, at this point an administrator is going to be appointed by the Federal Court and people will have the opportunity to make their claim before that administrator," Meryl Swanson said.
The community would have faced a lengthy court battle, after campaigning for the past five years, if the settlement had not of been reached.
"If that mediation had of broken down, our community in that class action may have been forced to go back to court and that could've lasted another five years... that is a very long time to wait for justice," Meryl Swanson said.
"There has been a small number of people that have worked incredibly hard on this class action to get this result... this is a win."
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| One of many signs erected by frustrated residents impacted by the PFAS contamination |
