RAAF Base Townsville

Investigations and findings

In December 2019, Defence completed detailed investigations into per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination on and around RAAF Base Townsville. Defence is committed to working with the Queensland Government to manage, remediate and monitor PFAS contamination in the area.

The investigations found that PFAS are mostly concentrated in areas where firefighting foams were previously disposed of, used or stored. These are called source areas. PFAS in these locations can be found in soil, and in water flowing through the source areas. PFAS moves in surface water flowing through drains and creeks, or groundwater that flows underground through soil and rock.

Three source areas were identified where PFAS was found at levels requiring further study or action:

  • the former fire training ground
  • fuel farm 2 and fire station
  • large areas including aviation hangars.

Human Health Risk Assessment

As part of the investigations, Defence conducted a Human Health Risk Assessment. This assessment measured the PFAS exposure risks to people living, working and undertaking recreational activities within the management area.

More details on Defence’s risk assessment can be found in the Human Health Risk Assessment factsheet found under the Recent reports and factsheet section. 

Please refer to the Lavarack Barracks page for precautionary advice information for consuming fish caught from lakes in Idalia.

Additional investigations

Defence conducted a PFAS movement assessment that tracks how and where PFAS are moving and how much PFAS are leaving the base. The study found that PFAS mainly leaves the base in surface water over the north western boundary via the Louisa Creek catchment and the Town Commons. The study also identified two additional potential source areas. Further studies of these potential source areas are underway.

Remediation and management

The aim of remediation is to minimise PFAS leaving the base by focusing on the remediation and management of the source areas. Over time this will contribute to the reduction of PFAS in the management area. Defence has a PFAS Management Area Plan setting out the proposed remedial works and other management actions to manage potential risks presented by PFAS.

As the movement of PFAS from RAAF Base Townsville is mostly through surface water which picks up PFAS from contaminated soil, current remediation is focused on PFAS in the top layer of soils and on preventing groundwater entering surface water drains.

The former fire training ground

The former fire training ground is located next to the commercial airport at the eastern end of the base and is a source of PFAS leaving RAAF Base Townsville. The soil in this area contained more than 115 kg of PFAS. A remediation action plan was prepared for this area, which aims to reduce the amount of PFAS entering surface drains located on the site and flowing off the base.

The former fire training ground has been remediated using a process called soil stabilisation. The process treated the PFAS impacted soils with activated carbon. This makes the PFAS stick to the product within the soil and stops it from moving when it rains. The treated soil was then placed back and covered with a clean layer of topsoil to prevent erosion. Some of this treated soil was relocated to local landfills. Soils with the highest concentrations of PFAS were sent interstate for disposal at a licenced thermal destruction facility.

These remediation works were completed in 2023.

Fuel farm 2 and fire station

Fuel farm 2 and fire station is in the central part of the base to the west of the main runway. Recent investigations have confirmed it is the major source for PFAS leaving the base. The soil in this area contains more than 280 kg of PFAS. A remediation action plan has been prepared for fuel farm 2 and the fire station to reduce PFAS moving to surface drains on the site and off base. Defence expects to start the remediation works in the coming months, pending local weather conditions.

Large areas including aviation hangars

The large areas including aviation hangars are located on the southern part of the base. Defence’s investigations found that there is minimal movement of PFAS from the large aviation aprons and hangars on the western side of the base. Due to ongoing operations within these areas, remediation in this area is not practicable.

Ongoing monitoring

Monitoring of PFAS continues on and around RAAF Base Townsville through sampling of surface water, groundwater and sediment. Monitoring helps Defence understand if PFAS contamination is changing over time.

Monitoring results have found no significant changes to how PFAS are moving in the management area. The remedial works are expected to reduce the PFAS moving off the base, and over time this will help reduce the amount of PFAS in the management area.

Results are published in an Ongoing Monitoring Report and factsheet. Defence will inform the community if changes to the management approach are required.

Recent reports and factsheets

Detailed reports from the PFAS Investigation and Management Program are available to download. Appendices to these reports can be found in the document archive. To discuss these reports, contact pfas.enquiry@defence.gov.au.

Document archive

The RAAF Base Townsville document archive contains information that Defence has published about the management of PFAS, including older community presentations, investigation reports, risk assessments and factsheets.

Some archive information has been superseded by the recent reports and factsheets.

Documents Archive - Townsville (PDF, 207.24 KB)

Last review: 13 March 2025