TMR confirms toxic PFAS contamination at Cairns Airport

For the first time TMR has revealed the presence of toxic firefighting foam at the Cairns Airport that will need to be cleaned up at a huge cost before the progressing of the CBD to Smithfield link.

The public have been asked to provide feedback on the newly released preliminary master plan for upgrades on the Captain Cook Highway between the Cairns CBD and Smithfield. Picture: TMR

For the first time the state road authority has revealed the presence of toxic firefighting foam at the Cairns Airport that will need to be cleaned up at a huge cost before the progressing of the CBD to Smithfield link.

Following the inclusion of the Captain Cook Highway in the national road network in 2019 the federal government committed $287.2m in an 80:20 split with the state which combined to make $359m available for the congestion-busting upgrade.

But in 2022 it was revealed by the Cairns Post that the $359m budgeted to complete the Cairns Ring Road project from the CBD all the way to Smithfield will only fund a 5km Cairns section between James St and the Barron River bridge.

Members of the aviation rescue and fire fighting service put out he fire at the emergency exercise at Cairns airport where a simulated crash of a Boeing 737 800 with 130 passengers on board was conducted. PICTURE: ANNA ROGERS

It’s understood $30m has been allocated by the Department of Transport and Main Roads to properly dispose of the contaminated earth at the site of an old aeronautic firefighting depot. Though TMR declined to confirm this figure, a spokesman said further works outside the six laning of Sheridan St between Florence St and Aeroglen Drive are currently unfunded.

“Delivery of the upgrade to the entire 15km corridor will exceed the $359m currently committed,” the spokesman said.

Masterplanning for the project is expected to be complete mid-2025 following the release of the draft preliminary masterplan for public comment in February 2023.

Traffic on Sheridan Street during the busy Friday afternoon peak hour rush. The northern section of the road has been identified by the federal government as stage one early works for the $359 million Captain Cook Highway upgrade. PICTURE: BRENDAN RADKE

Firefighting foam containing chemicals polyfluorinated substances (PFAS) are known to be present at contaminated areas of Cairns Airport in a carry-over from use of the foam prior to 2003 when Queensland Fire and Emergency Services discontinued use of toxic fire retardant products which have been linked to serious health problems overseas.

For the first time this week TMR has acknowledged the impact of the toxic foam on planned upgrades of the Captain Cook Highway

“As part of planning activities, investigations have confirmed the presence of per-and polyfluorinated substances management areas and associated low-level PFAS surrounding the project location,” the spokesman said.

“Further investigations are being undertaken to inform the development of a PFAS management strategy.

“Extensive consultation with impacted property owners and community consultation for the preliminary master plan along the 15.5km long corridor commenced in August 2020 and will continue throughout the project.”

The Cairns Airport was one such property owner.

Airport chief executive Richard Barker said the organisation had commissioned and funded an independent PFAS assessment and results have been shared with key departments including Queensland Health.

“Traces of PFAS have been detected in sites on and adjacent to Cairns Airport,” he said.

“This is a legacy issue affecting airports across Australia.

“We wholly support prompt, effective action on PFAS remediation, and the Cairns Airport team liaises regularly with the relevant authorities responsible for this process.”

Mr Barker said the Cairns Airport has never directly purchased, used, or stored foams containing PFAS, however in the past, foams containing PFAS were used by Airservices Australia and other organisations due to their fire suppressant qualities.

Airservices has conducted detailed site investigations at Cairns Airport, including sampling of soil, groundwater, and surface water.

The federal provider of air navigation and aeronautic firefighting services is expected to finalise a detailed site investigation later this year which will guide clean up of the area adjacent to land required to build additional lanes of the Captain Cook Highway.

Stage 1 masterplanning of the Smithfield to Cairns CBD road upgrade is also expected to be complete midway through this year.

Transport and Main Road document show the new three lane bridge across Thomatis Creek.

Stage 1 of the project includes a new bridge at Saltwater Creek, with four lanes southbound and three northbound and access to Whitfield St from the highway at Aeroglen will be removed.

In later unfunded stages the Captain Cook Highway will be upgraded to six lanes between Aeroglen Dr and the Smithfield Bypass as well as a realigning of the route at Thomatis Creek which leaked concept drawings drafted by Aecom in 2022 revealed a new three lane road ploughing over the top of a home and business on the northern bank.

Traffic lights will eventually take the place of roundabouts at turn-offs to Machans and Holloways beaches.

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Originally published as TMR confirms toxic PFAS contamination at Cairns Airport