Wreck Bay: NSW Indigenous community secures $22m Pfas contamination settlement

Lawyer in class action over forever chemicals leaked in waterways calls deal bittersweet as people ‘still dealing with irreparable damage to their land’

• Follow our Australia news live blog for the latest updates
• Get our morning and afternoon news emails, free app or daily news podcast

Indigenous people affected by firefighting chemical contamination on traditional cultural lands have reached a $22m class action settlement with the federal government.

The settlement, revealed in a federal court hearing on Thursday, will result in $17m, minus administration costs and further legal costs, going to those affected when firefighting foam containing toxic Pfas – per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, also known as “forever chemicals” – leaked into sacred waterways.

Sign up for Guardian Australia’s free morning and afternoon email newsletters for your daily news roundup