Shine Lawyers is investigating a potential class action for the chemical contamination of soil and groundwater in and around Jervis Bay, located on the South Coast of NSW that borders HMAS Creswell and Jervis Bay Range Facility. Our investigation seeks to determine whether the contamination was a result of the Department of Defence using firefighting foam containing per- and poly- fluoroalkyls (PFAS).
About the Jervis Bay PFAS Contamination Class Action Investigation
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’.
This class action is intended to be for members of the Jervis Bay community who own, or have owned property in or around the investigation area. Shine Lawyers are investigating whether the PFAS contamination in Jervis Bay has negatively impacted properties, land values and the livelihoods of the Jervis Bay community.
The investigation for Jervis Bay follows the successful class actions for Oakey and Katherine by Shine Lawyers against the Department of Defence, for the contamination of soil and groundwater which led to the decline of property values.
The ADF commenced a detailed site investigation at HMAS Creswell and Jervis Bay Range Facility in March 2017, 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.
Investigation Area
As part of their investigation, the Department of Defence has released a map identifying the investigation area. Download the map
Important Notice
The Jervis Bay PFAS Contamination Class Action Investigation does not include personal injury claims for exposure to the PFAS contamination. The adverse health effects of exposure to PFAS chemicals, and the viability of a class action will continue to be investigated. Class actions such as this have been run in other countries around the world for both defence force personnel and communities.
How to register for the Jervis Bay PFAS Contamination Class Action Investigation
If your property is located in the Jervis Bay contamination investigation area, and was owned by you in 2016, you are encouraged to register for this class action investigation so that you may seek the compensation you are entitled to.
Click the button below to register
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 includes some of the firm’s most experienced solicitors and support staff. The team includes:
