Gold Coast

Various entities have provided aviation rescue and fire fighting services at Gold Coast Airport since the 1950s. 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 Gold Coast Airport since 2010.

Site investigations

As part of Airservices' National PFAS Management Program, we are undertaking site investigations to determine the nature and extent of PFAS at Gold Coast Airport. The 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.

We completed a Preliminary Site Investigation (PSI) in 2016. The PSI detected PFAS on-airport in soil, sediment, surface water and groundwater. Groundwater and surface water samples exceeded the adopted criteria, while PFAS concentrations in soils were below the criteria.

In early 2017, we undertook biota testing in the Cobaki Broadwater, adjacent to the airport boundary. This testing detected PFAS levels below the adopted criteria in biota (fish and crab) samples, surface water and sediments.

In late 2017, we completed an additional groundwater investigation along the eastern airport boundary adjacent to the current and former fire station sites. This investigation included sampling of spear bores at 18 residential properties adjacent to Coolangatta Creek. PFAS detections were above the adopted human health criteria for drinking water and below the adopted human health criteria for recreational water. The report notes that Gold Coast residents are connected to mains water and spear bores were not required as a drinking water supply.

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

Site management and remediation

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.

The information obtained from the DSI will inform next steps in the management or remediation of our sites at Gold Coast Airport.

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