A Senate inquiry has recommended the Federal Government buy affected land from locals in the Queensland town of Oakey because of contamination from toxic foam Defence has used at its bases across Australia.

It follows a similar recommendation for Williamtown in New South Wales.

The contamination, caused by a firefighting foam containing toxic chemicals PFOS and PFOA, has been used at military bases and civilian airports around Australia since the 1970s.

Defence has said it became aware the chemicals might be dangerous in 2003 and stopped using the foam in 2008.

It's not yet known what the health impacts of elevated levels of PFOS and PFOA might be, though studies have shown a link between exposure and cancer in animals.

Authorities have advised that locals in zones around the Oakey base not drink their bore water. That's also the case in Williamtown, as previously reported by Hack.

Senate inquiry: Defence leaking toxic chemicals Williamtown locals are considering suing the Federal Government after Defence contaminated their waterways.

Along with buying back contaminated land, Part B of the Senate Inquiry Report into firefighting foams also recommends blood tests for locals and ongoing mental health support.

It suggests the government immediately legislates for the removal and disposal of PFOS and PFOA foams on all Commonwealth, state and territory facilities across Australia and ratifies the updated Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, which includes PFOS.

Greens senator Lee Rhiannon, who was on the committee, says they're also calling for a change to the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.

"The Federal Department of Environment can investigate contaminated sites," she told Hack. "But where the Government is able to wriggle out of their responsibility is because the national environmental law ... [means] that if something was already built or there was already a practice occurring at the time the Act came into force in 2000 - this environmental law doesn't apply to them."

'Unbearable' stress

The Senate committee heard testimony from locals affected by the contamination in Oakey, where people have been told not to drink their bore water.

Brad Hudson, whose property is located approximately 400 metres from the Army base, said the stress is, at times, unbearable.

"My five year old daughter has high levels already at her young age. God knows how this will affect her in her future life. My levels...are extremely high and concerning since I have already had testicular cancer at my age of 42," he told the inquiry.

It is extremely hard to close my eyes at night thinking about my family and our futures with these contaminants in our systems at the high levels that they are.

"I wouldn't mind if someone from government was to live a life of uncertainty like we are forced to do. Deal with the stress and headaches that come with our lives now, which is at time unbearable."

The mayor of Toowoomba regional council, which takes in Oakey, told Hack he wouldn't rule out legal action if compensation for his community wasn't forthcoming.

"I'm very reluctant to say too much about litigation... but I think we'd be entitled to seek some sort of compensation."

Government to respond to recommendations

In a statement, a spokesperson for Assistant Defence Minister Michael McCormack told Hack the Government acknowledges the release of the report and will consider it.

"The Government is taking this matter very seriously and is committed to ensuring the safety of both Defence personnel and the surrounding community. Defence continues to work cooperatively with other Commonwealth, State/Territory, local governments and the local community on this issue, which also affects civilian airports, industrial sites and state firefighting facilities.

"The Army Aviation Centre Oakey human health risk assessment is anticipated in the third quarter of 2016. Defence will use this information to inform the development and implementation of management strategies, based on the actual level of risk. Defence is looking forward to providing these informed answers to the Oakey community at the earliest opportunity."

Three weeks ago, the Government responded to Part A of the Senate inquiry report, which dealt with Williamtown. It did not accept the recommendations about blood testing or land acquisition. It accepted a number of measures it was already undertaking, including providing clean drinking water and mental health services.

The Senate inquiry will investigate contamination at 16 other Defence bases: Jervis Bay Range Facility, ACT; RAAF Base Richmond, NSW; Holsworthy Barracks, NSW; HMAS Albatross, NSW; RAAF Base Wagga, NSW; RAAF Base Tindal, NT; RAAF Base Darwin, NT; Robertson Barracks, NT; RAAF Base Townsville, QLD; RAAF Base Amberley, QLD; RAAF Base Edinburgh, SA; RAAF Base East Sale, VIC; Bandiana Military Area, VIC; HMAS Cerberus, VIC; HMAS Stirling, Fleet Base West, WA; and RAAF Base Pearce, WA.