Toxic chemical PFAS found at Kirra beach on Gold Coast

WARNING signs have been put up at one of the Gold Coast’s most popular beaches after toxic chemicals, which have contaminated airports across the country, were found.

Toxic chemicals have been found on Kirra beach. Picture Mike Batterham

WARNING signs have been placed at Kirra Beach after water from Coolangatta Creek was found to be contaminated with toxic chemicals.

People have been advised not to swim or fish in the outlet after Gold Coast City Council revealed it had found traces of Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFAS), a toxic chemical which was found at the Gold Coast Airport last year.

PFAS has caused major health issues in the town of Oakey, west of Toowoomba.

The chemical has been found at airports across the country after it was used for decades in firefighting foam used in training exercises.

The council revealed recent tests had found levels of PFAS at Kirra Beach.

The contaminated area of Coolangatta Creek at Kirra. Photo: Gold Coast City Council

“Levels of PFAS recorded in Coolangatta Creek at the point of discharge onto Kirra Beach were at higher levels but still below guideline levels for recreational use,” the council’s statement reads.

“Results have varied but have always been below the recreational water guidelines level which is .7 micrograms per litre.”

The council will place signs along the beach warning residents not to “recreate” in waters from Coolangatta Creek.

The beach will not be closed and it is still safe to swim in the ocean.

But local councillor Gail O’Neill urged beachgoers to avoid swimming or fishing in the contaminated area.

Coolangatta Creek where the traces of toxic chemicals were found. Picture: Adam Head

“They should not be swimming or even fishing in that outlet,” Cr O’Neill said

“I think it has been very well publicised that there has been testing down there.”

The southern councillor said she did not think swimming or fishing in the outlet was common.

“Where the creek comes out it is not a patrolled beach,” she said.

Cr O’Neill stressed it was very low levels found in the water.

“The City will review and reassess its advice to recreational users of marine waters at Kirra Beach based on future monitoring results or changes to the current situation,” the statement reads.