The first Oakey landholders will receive compensation after their property was contaminated from toxic firefighting foam used at the nearby Defence base.
Eric Donaldson, 83, last week reached a confidential agreement with the Federal Government over claims groundwater at his property was affected by the chemical PFAS which had been used at the adjoining Oakey Army Aviation Centre.
"I first heard the word PFAS in 2012 and it's been an anxiety provoking period," Mr Donaldson said.
"Not only for me but lots of my close neighbours and people around who have felt threatened about where this has been going."
Eric's son, Adair Donaldson who is a Director of Donaldson Law, Sydney, represented his father in the case and said the outcome was a win.
"This claim proves that the Commonwealth is prepared to work collaboratively to resolve an individual claim for damages caused by the impact of the PFAS chemical in the groundwater at Oakey and other parts of Australia," Mr Donaldson said.
"There are currently class actions underway regarding PFAS ground water contamination, which are expected to go to trial later this year."
As part of the settlement there were no admissions of liability.
"Our client's claim was considered on its own merits and its settlement has no bearing on the outcome of the class action," Mr Donaldson said.
We cannot eat any produce such as our own meat and eggs and cannot drink our bore water. Our hands are tied and we have no where to go.
- Dianne Priddle
Dianne Priddle, Berwick Stud, Oakey, who is on the south west edge of the plume said the compensation settlement showed there was an issue of concern.
Ms Priddle said they were part of three class actions, which had combined to include property owners in Williamtown, Katherine and Oakey. The hearing will start on August 12.
She said her future, and that of her partner David Jefferis, was grim.
"According to the Risk Assessment Report we are in the 26 kilometre zone. This means we cannot eat any produce such as our own meat and eggs and cannot drink our bore water. This not only applies in Oakey, but Williamtown and Katherine," Ms Priddle said.
"Our hands are tied and we have no where to go. We can't sell as the banks won't lend due to contamination."
Ms Priddle said Defence was pumping water from the aquifers at Oakey, Williamtown and Katherine and treating it with filters sourced from the United States.
"They are then pumping the water back down into the aquifer at a cost of $1 per litre costing tens of millions of dollars, " Ms Priddle said.
Defence initiated an environmental program to investigate the nature and extent of PFAS, on selected Defence properties around Australia.
Queensland Country Life was waiting to receive a response from the Department of Defence, at the time of going to press.
