Justice Michael Lee said claims had even been received today, on the first day of a two-day hearing into the proposed settlement deal.

Justice Lee said as far he was concerned today was last day claims could be made.

The Federal Court was told the late claims from Katherine numbered 159.

There is believed to be more than 1000 people in Katherine registered for the settlement.

The court heard objections today about the acceptance of late registrations because it would cause the "estimated" payouts already sent to Katherine people to be less than stated.

"There will be a lot more dissent in the town if they are allowed," a Katherine resident told the court today.

Justice Lee said the late registrations should be allowed.

Residents have finally had their chance to have their say about PFAS contamination of their properties.

The Federal Court opened today's hearing to residents to comment on a proposed settlement deal made between lawyers for Katherine, Oakey and Williamtown residents and the Defence Department.

Justice Michael Lee said his task now was not to judge whether the contamination claims were true or not but whether the proposed settlement was "fair and reasonable".

Katherine's proposed $92.5 million PFAS class action payout was back before the Federal Court for a two-day hearing.

After the settlement deal was released, the court invited residents to make comment on the proposal and Justice Lee said many people had.

More than 30 people from Katherine had objected to the proposal, the court was told.

Those written submissions are now bound in a thick folder on Justice Lee's bench and three Katherine people took the opportunity to speak on a video link today to have their say.

One Williamtown resident said for all those who had objected to the settlement figure, the silent majority were happy to go ahead with the deal and viewed it as a victory.

Justice Lee this morning said he hoped to make orders on the proposed settlement by the end of this current hearing tomorrow.

Hundreds of Katherine residents have been excited about the "estimated" property payout amounts but they have yet to be confirmed by the court.

Many others have contacted the court at Justice Lee's invitation saying they are not happy with the amount.

Justice Lee said many of the statements from residents were "quite moving".

A Williamtown resident complained the settlement was a "one off" and health problems may not emerge for many years.

Justice Lee repeatedly said his task was not the consider the merits of the case but whether the settlement was "fair and reasonable".

"If I am told it is not then we proceed to trial with all the risks that entails."

The court was told there were "substantial variations" in estimated payouts to individuals.

Oakey residents said there it was "a mess" the individuals did not create.

"This has been ducking and weaving on a grand scale," one said.

"There is not a beef producer in Australia that would by our place," another said.

Justice Lee said he was not able to alter the proposed settlement figure.

"I can't make anyone pay anymore money that is on the table than is there now."

One Katherine resident, who had lived in the town for 40 years, said her claim for the business operated on one of the contaminated properties had been rejected.

Justice Lee repeatedly said he was closely examining the legal costs in the case.

"I have said, repeatedly said, there should have been one case, one class action ... one set of solicitors, one set of barristers." he said.

Lawyers said despite the large number of objections, there was a great many more people who had not objected.

The settlement hearing is being heard in conjunction with the proposed settlements for Oakey ($34 million) and Williamtown ($86 million).

The court was told today the litigants for Katherine had estimated a desired settlement figure for Katherine of $74m which was below the actual proposed settlement figure of $92.5m.

Justice Lee today said he was hopeful of being able to make orders on the settlement proposal by the conlcusion of tomorrow's hearing.

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