The question of whether a dangerous chemical leak from the Tindal RAAF Base has had an impact on property values in Katherine will be stirred up again at a community meeting tomorrow.
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Hundreds of Katherine residents are part of a class action against the Department of Defence for PFAS contamination of the town.
At the heart of the claim is property values have fallen dramatically and business has been negatively impacted.
Leading the class action, Shine Lawyers will be in Katherine tomorrow to discuss the progress of the case, which is expected to start on April 1 in Sydney.
Shine Lawyers plans to discuss the selection of their expert witnesses, which have assessed the impact of PFAS contamination on property values in Katherine - these experts are crucial to the case.
Katherine Town Council, a late signup to the class action, is believed to have received the latest Valuer General's advice on the town's property values.
Rates bills have already been sent out for this year based on pre-PFAS values but these are the new values which the next three years' rates will be based on.
There is some concern these new values are based on a very limited number of sales, which again, most believe is a result of the PFAS issue.
That new valuation is expected to be mailed out some time this month and residents have 30 days to object.
While repeatedly admitting fault in allowing dangerous chemicals to leak from the Tindal RAAF Base, the Defence Department is contesting the claim that PFAS contamination caused property values in each area to drop.
Defence is said to have put aside $53 million of taxpayers' money to fight the case.
There is also a strong possibility the court will briefly come to Katherine next year to view the town's proximity to the Tindal RAAF Base.
The meeting will be held at Knotts Crossing from 6.30pm.
More reading: Katherine's grim PFAS timeline
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