Shine Lawyers is looking into a potential class action for the chemical contamination of soil and groundwater in and around Edinburgh, an outer northern suburb of Adelaide that sits on the boundary of RAAF Base Edinburgh. Our investigation seeks to determine whether the contamination resulted from the Department of Defence using firefighting foam containing per- and poly- fluoroalkyls (PFAS).
The Australian Defence Force (ADF) regularly conducted firefighting drills during the 1970s to at least 2004, using a type of firefighting foam known as Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF). RAAF Base Edinburgh historically used this foam during training.
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. Surface water samples collected from throughout the Kaurna Park Wetland, and upstream were identified as exceeding the ecological screening criteria for fresh water.
The potential class action is intended to be for members of the Edinburgh community who own, or have owned property in the contaminated area. The Shine Lawyers Class Action team are investigating whether the PFAS contamination has negatively impacted land values in Edinburgh.
The investigation for Edinburgh follows the launch of class actions in Oakey and Katherine by Shine Lawyers for the contamination of soil and groundwater.
Am I eligible to participate in the Class Action?
The Department of Defence is currently carrying out a long-term environmental investigation into the contamination of groundwater and soil in the Edinburgh area. As part of this investigation, they have released a map which identifies the investigation area. A copy of the investigation area map can be found here.
At present, to be part of the the potential Class Action, your property must be located in or around the investigation area and owned by you in 2016.
The eligibility criteria for the Class Action may change, depending on legal advice as matters progress. If there are any changes, we will contact you.
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 investigation team includes:
