PFAS Management at Townsville Airport

We acknowledge and respect community concerns regarding PFAS at Townsville Airport. Together with the Department of Defence and the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sports and the Arts, we remain committed to ongoing engagement with regulatory agencies and the community. 

There are known sources of PFAS at Townsville Airport, with the majority attributed to the historic use of aqueous film forming foam containing PFAS, used by federal government agencies, including Airservices Australia, during firefighting training exercises.

Airservices Australia stopped using firefighting foam containing PFAS at Townsville Airport in 2010.

Due to the historical use of firefighting foam containing PFAS and other potential sources, PFAS has been detected in soil, groundwater and surface water in several areas across the Townsville Airport site. Detailed Site Investigations completed by the Department of Defence found PFAS is mostly concentrated in areas where firefighting foams were previously used, stored or disposed of, known as source areas. At Townsville Airport, three such areas were identified for further study or action: the former fire training ground, former fuel farm and fire station, and large areas including aviation hangars.

More information on the Department of Defence investigation can be found here. 

 

What are PFAS?

Per- and poly-fluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) refer to a broad group of fluorinated chemicals, including perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA).

PFAS are manufactured chemicals used in products that resist heat, oil, stains and water. PFAS has been used in Australia and around the world across various industries and consumer products, such as metal plating, non-stick cookware, specialised textiles, stain-resistant treatments for fabrics and furniture, and firefighting foams, including those historically used by Airservices Australia.

While scientific understanding of PFAS and their risks is still developing, research has shown that these chemicals are highly persistent, and some forms can bioaccumulate in the environment. Federal government agencies historically used firefighting foams containing PFAS at multiple sites nationwide, including at Townsville Airport. 

 

What is being done about PFAS at Townsville Airport?

When managing PFAS on-airport we follow the PFAS National Environmental Management Plan 3.0 (NEMP), a national framework providing a risk-based approach to addressing PFAS contamination.

Townsville Airport has been part of the Australian Government’s PFAS Investigation Program, which aims to understand and manage PFAS contamination at Defence and civilian airports across the country.

The Department of Defence (DoD) led Preliminary and Detailed Site Investigations in accordance with the PFAS National Environmental Management Plan (NEMP), which reviewed levels of PFAS contamination throughout the aerodrome and surrounding area.

A PFAS Management Plan was developed in consultation with the community and relevant stakeholders, and remediation works have been carried out at key sites, including former fire training areas, former fuel farm and key migration pathways. Some of these remediated areas are adjacent to Townsville Airport.

Within the Civil Area, managed by Townsville Airport Pty Ltd, the majority of operations take place on sealed surfaces such as runways and taxiways, which limits the risk of soil contamination. Any projects involving ground disturbance or materials with the potential to contain PFAS are managed in accordance with the latest version of the PFAS NEMP.

We recognise that PFAS management is a long-term responsibility and are committed to ongoing monitoring and collaboration with government agencies to support appropriate environmental outcomes.

For more information about PFAS investigations at Townsville Airport, please visit the Australian Government’s PFAS Investigation Program page. 

 

Helpful links

aboriginal-flag Acknowledgement of Country

Townsville Airport acknowledges the Wulgurukaba people as Traditional Custodians of the land on which we operate. We also acknowledge the neighbouring Bindal, Manbarra, Gudjal, Gugu Badhun, Nywaigi and Warrgamay peoples.

We pay respect to their Elders past, present and future and value the traditions, cultures and aspirations of First Australians. We recognise their continued connection to the lands, seas and skies upon which Townsville Airport operates.