Shine Lawyers is pursuing justice for property owners in Edinburgh whose land has been contaminated by PFAS chemicals used by the RAAF Base Edinburgh.
What is the Edinburgh PFAS Contamination Class Action about?
From the 1970s to at least 2004, the Australian Defence Force (ADF) regularly conducted firefighting drills using a type of firefighting foam known as Aqueous Film Forming Foam. This foam consists of toxic chemicals known as ‘PFAS’.
The class action alleges that the Department of Defence negligently allowed these toxic chemicals to escape from the RAAF Base Edinburgh, and contaminate local environments. These contaminants have negatively impacted properties, land values and the livelihoods of the Edinburgh community.
Shine Lawyers has filed a class action to seek compensation for Edinburgh property owners who have suffered loss in their property value due to contamination caused by the RAAF Base Edinburgh.
The ADF commenced a detailed site investigation at RAAF Base Edinburgh in November 2016, with the results detecting PFAS in surface water, groundwater and sediment around the base. The report found widespread PFAS contamination in groundwater both on and off-base, exceeding health based recommendations for drinking water. As part of this investigation, the Department of Defence has released a map identifying the investigation area:
Shine Lawyers is seeking justice for similarly contaminated communities surrounding Defence bases across Australia including Bullsbrook, Darwin, Katherine, Oakey, Richmond, Townsville, Wagga Wagga and Wodonga.
How to register for the Edinburgh PFAS Contamination Class Action
If your property is located in the Edinburgh contamination investigation area, and was owned by you on 1st October 2016, you are encouraged to register for this class action so that you may seek the compensation you are entitled to.
To register for the Edinburgh PFAS Contamination Class Action, you can either:
- Register your details and enter into a Funding Agreement (and become a 'Represented Class Member') OR
- Register your details, without entering into the Funding Agreement (and become a 'Registered Unrepresented Class Member')
If you do not wish to be a part of the Edinburgh PFAS Contamination Class Action, you have the option to opt out by 4:00pm (Sydney time) on 30 September 2020. By opting out you will lose a right to any compensation awarded out of the class action, however you can still bring an individual claim against the Department of Defence. Click here to download a copy of the Opt Out form.
If you have any questions or require any assistance in registering for the class action, please contact our PFAS Contamination Class Action team on 1800 066 173.
Case documents
- Court Notice to Register in the Class Action or Opt Out - Edinburgh (SA)
- Opt Out Notice
- Statement of Claim
Who is Shine Lawyers’ Class Action team?
Shine Lawyers’ Class Action team consists of some of the firm’s most experienced Special Counsel, Solicitors and support staff, including Law Clerks and Paralegals. The Edinburgh PFAS Contamination Class Action team includes:
