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PFAS legal settlement 'welcomed'

Mar 29, 2019

Friends of the Earth Australia has welcomed a decision yesterday to compensate Mr Eric Donaldson for pollution of groundwater used on his property, near the Army Aviation Centre at Oakey in Southern Queensland.

However, the out of court settlement means that the Department of Defence will not be making any admissions of liability.  Mr Donaldson’s settlement is separate to a number of class actions are currently being undertaken by three communities seriously impacted by per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination including Oakey, Williamtown in New South Wales and Katherine in the Northern Territory.

Friends of the Earth hopes that the class actions will be successful. It is believed that the settlement with Mr Donaldson will most likely not impact on the class actions.

The class actions also raise the spectre of potential impacts of people exposed to PFAS through a variety of uses other than pollution from groundwater. These could include class actions against the manufacturers and suppliers of non-stick cookware, Scotchguard, Teflon, fast food wrappers and a multitude of other uses.

Friends of the Earth has been researching the PFAS issue for some time, and has produced a map detailing sites affected around the country.

Australian PFAS Chemicals Map

Friends of the Earth fears that the impact of the PFAS extends far wider than military bases. PFAS has been detected over hundreds of locations across Australia, even drinking water. Of major concern is the potential contamination of a wide variety of crops due to the use of recycled water and biosolids which may be contaminated with PFAS. Whilst not opposed to the use of recycled water it is important that adequate treatment is provided at waste water plants to adequately deal with PFAS and other contaminants. Friends of the Earth is also having major concerns over the contamination of landfill sites across Australia and the pollution from these sites with substances including PFAS.

Please support our PFAS and Pesticide work with a tax deductible donation. Currently all of our work in this area is completed by volunteers. 


Whilst you are here, please make a tax deductible donation. Friends of the Earth relies on donations from people like you to keep running campaigns for social and environmental justice.

Donate now

Pesticide Free Waterways Defence of Earth
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Friends of the Earth Australia
Phone 03 9419 8700
Phone toll free 1300 852 081
between 10am and 6pm weekdays
Fax 03 9416 2081

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Head Office
312 Smith St
Collingwood
VIC 3066

Postal address
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Fitzroy
VIC 3065

Friends of the Earth Australia meet and work on stolen lands of Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people and respect that sovereignty of those lands was never ceded. We pay respect to Elders, past and present, and acknowledge the pivotal role that Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people continue to play within the Australian community.

Authorised by Cam Walker, Friends of the Earth Australia, 312 Smith St, Collingwood, VIC.

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Contact


Friends of the Earth Australia
Phone 03 9419 8700
Phone toll free 1300 852 081
between 10am and 6pm weekdays TEST
Fax 03 9416 2081

Contact form
Media and specific campaign enquiries

Friends of the Earth Australia meet and work on stolen lands of Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people and respect that sovereignty of those lands was never ceded. We pay respect to Elders, past and present, and acknowledge the pivotal role that Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people continue to play within the Australian community.


Menu
  • Home
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  • What We Do
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Website designed by Somerset Bean
Created with NationBuilder
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Contact


Friends of the Earth Australia
ABN 18 110 769 501
Phone 03 9419 8700
Phone toll free 1300 852 081 between 10am and 6pm weekdays TEST
Fax 03 9416 2081

Contact form
Media and specific campaign enquiries


Friends of the Earth Australia meet and work on stolen lands of Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people and respect that sovereignty of those lands was never ceded. We pay respect to Elders, past and present, and acknowledge the pivotal role that Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people continue to play within the Australian community.


Menu
  • Home
  • Who We Are
  • What We Do
  • News
  • Take Action!
  • Donate
  • Contact Us

Website designed by Somerset Bean

Created with NationBuilder


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