Rockhampton

Various entities have provided aviation rescue and fire fighting services at Rockhampton Airport since 1950. Airservices has provided these services at the airport since 1995.

PFAS and fire fighting foam

PFAS stands for per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances, which are manufactured chemicals used in products that resist heat, oil, stains and water. They have been widely used since the 1950s in common household products, as well as commercial industrial applications such as fire fighting foams.

When Airservices became aware of the potential environmental impacts of PFAS in the early 2000s, we transitioned away from their use. We have used PFAS-free foam at Rockhampton Airport since 2010.

Site investigations

As part of the Airservices' National PFAS Management Program, we are undertaking site investigations to determine the nature and extent of PFAS at Rockhampton Airport. Site investigations have included sampling of soil, groundwater and surface water, using adopted criteria for ecological and human health to assess the levels of PFAS.

A previous limited investigation of the Rockhampton Airport fire training ground confirmed the presence of PFAS in soil, sediment, and groundwater. A subsequent site assessment of all our aviation fire fighting sites at Rockhampton Airport identified likely PFAS migration off-airport.

We are currently undertaking a Detailed Site investigation (DSI), and this is expected to be completed in 2025.

Site management and remediation

We collaborate with relevant State environmental and health regulators and Rockhampton Airport as part of an evidence-led approach to the responsible management of PFAS.

We manage legacy PFAS through our National PFAS Management Program to ensure the safety of our people and the communities and environment in which we operate.

Data collected under our PFAS DSI indicated the former fire fighting training ground is a primary on-airport PFAS source, with PFAS concentrations in soil, sediment, surface water and groundwater at and downgradient of the site above relevant guidelines.

In response, Airservices finalised a Remediation Action Plan for the former fire training ground in January 2025. The plan documents proposed remediation works including the remediation via off-airport disposal of more than 90% of the estimated PFAS mass residing in soil and on the former fire training ground. This removal will require the excavation of approximately 8,760 m3 of soils. The remediation when executed will result in a reduction of the risk profile at the site and is expected to result in consequential improvement to groundwater and surface water conditions, reducing the overall risk of ongoing migration of PFAS from the site.

As a Commonwealth agency, expenditure for the proposed remediation is subject to inquiry by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Work (PWC). Additional details on the inquiry are available at: Airservices Australia—PFAS Remediation of the Former Fire Training Ground at Rockhampton Airport, Queensland – Parliament of Australia.

Once PWC approval is received, Airservices intends to expeditiously execute the remediation works.