Rockhampton

Rockhampton Airport fire fighting

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 2026.

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 January 2025 Airservices finalised a Remediation Action Plan (RAP) for the former fire training ground. The remediation has now been completed, with the site handed back to the airport on 26 August 2026.

The remediation works included the excavation and off-airport disposal of approximately 10,000 m³ of soils containing PFAS from the former fire training ground.