BREAKING! Major Aircraft Emergency At RAAF Base Williamtown

 BY IAN CROUCH

Emergency services have been called to reports of a defence aircraft in distress circling the Williamtown RAAF Base.

Police say an E-7A Wedgetail with ten crew on board lost cabin pressure at about 12.30pm on Wednesday.

It's understood oxygen masks were deployed and the aircraft circled the RAAF base for about 25 minutes until it was deemed safe to land.

The aircraft touched down just before one o'clock.

It is not clear if any of the crew have been injured.

Police say ambulance paramedics are assessing ten people at the scene.

The E-7A Wedgetail made a safe landing at Williamtown

 

Military Helicopters To Be Seen Flying Over Newcastle As Defence Conducts Training in the Area

BY ISABEL EVERETT

Military helicopters will be seen flying over Newcastle towards the end of July, with the Australian Defense Force conducting anti-terrorism training in the region.

Locals will be given the chance to see Australian Army MRH-90 Taipan multi-role helicopters in action, as they are used during training exercises. 

"The activity is part of regular, scheduled training, and is designed to ensure our ADF personnel are operating at the highest level of capacity to respond, where required, to support Australia’s national interests," the ADF said in a statement. 

Australian Army officer Colonel Brett Chaloner said ADF personnel were looking forward to the opportunity to train in the region.

“Defence does not get the opportunity to train in the Newcastle region very often,” Colonel Chaloner said.

“We are looking forward to using some of the facilities in the area, to assist our helicopter crews and personnel continue to build our world-class military capability.

“We acknowledge these activities may result in some noise disturbance for Newcastle residents, but it is essential to provide ADF personnel with realistic training environments,” Colonel Chaloner said.

The training will be conducted during the day and at night.

"The public should not be alarmed if they see or hear military helicopters, vehicles and military personnel carrying weapons. No ammunition will be used during the training," the ADF said. 

"People who see the training should not be concerned that any of the locations are under any form of actual threat."

All ADF personnel participating in the training will be screened for COVID-19 symptoms before commencing the training.

“Defence will not take any risks with the health of Newcastle residents, and for everybody’s safety we ask that if you do see or hear the training, please maintain your distance.

Image Credit: Australian Aviation

Residents Living Near Williamtown PFAS Red Zone Urged To Accept Settlement

BY IAN CROUCH

A Federal Court Justice considering whether the proposed settlement to PFAS-affected residents at Williamtown is fair and reasonable is urging them to accept the offer.

Some residents in the PFAS Red Zone are unhappy with the proposed $86 million settlement, saying the expected $175,000 each is not enough to compensate for their contaminated properties, writing to Justice Michael Lee outlining their concerns.

In a video conference with residents on Thursday, Justice Lee said he was unable to order the government to increase it's offer and it would be in their best interests to accept it, given the high cost and uncertainty of further litigation.

President of the Fulleterton Cove Residents Action Group, Lindsay Clout believes accepting the settlement is the best way forward, and only a small number of residents are agitating for more.

"The concern with most of the residents are, and certainly I am one of those, is that the risk of sending it to court is too great to not accept what's being offered to us at the moment,"he said.

"Going to court could mean many more years of litigation and hundreds of thousands of dollars in costs, and the final settlement  - if we won the case, may not very well yield anywhere near the returns that we've been offered right at the moment," Mr Clout said.

Fullerton Cove Residents Action Group President Lindsay Clout Picture: Port Stephens Examiner

 

Government Agrees To Settle Class Action Claims Over PFAS Contamination At Williamtown

BY IAN CROUCH

It's the beginning of the end of a five year battle by residents living near the Williamtown RAAF base to address the health and environmental impacts from chemicals which leeched into groundwater from firefighting foam used for many years at the defence facility.

Late on Wednesday night an in-principal agreement was reached and a confidential settlement was being finalised for three Federal Court class actions involving residents from Williamtown in NSW, Oakey in Queensland and Katherine in the Northern Territory. It comes after their properties were rendered worthless and unproductive by the contamination.

The breakthrough followed two days of intense negotiations during mediation talks between legal counsel for the residents and the Defence Department.

The talks were being viewed as the last opportunity to reach a settlement before the class actions were to be heard in the Federal Court in April and follows previous unsuccessful attempts where the parties could not reach agreement.

Defence Minister Linda Reynolds and Defence Personnel Minister Darren Chester released a joint statement on Wednesday night say the Government remains committed to engaging with those impacted by PFAS contamination.

"Reaching a settlement is not the end of Defence's engagement in these communities, however, it does represent an important milestone on what has been a difficult journey for many people over the past few years." they said.

Paterson Mp Meryl Swanson has also welcomed the breakthrough, congratulating the community after their hard-fought battle for compensation.

"I just felt so proud of my community and what they've been through. They've been to hell and back - they've been so courageous, they've been smart, and this agreement last night is the first step in what has been a terrible journey for them." she said.

One of many signs erected by frustrated residents impacted by the PFAS contamination