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The Public Works Committee has recommended that two projects by Airservices Australia go ahead, including firefighting upgrades and PFAS remediation.
NexGen firefighting upgrades in Queensland and Victoria, including Cairns, Rockhampton and Mackay, as well as remediation of per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) “forever chemicals” in Rockhampton, have both been recommended in the committee’s latest report.
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The NexGen works have been estimated to cost around $163.4 million, while the Rockhampton PFAS works will cost $24.975 million.
“The NexGen works are essential to update Airservices facilities to make them flexible and fit for purpose into the future, as well as accommodate a new line of Ultra Large Fire Vehicles and to upgrade the services’ training grounds to meet training and capability objectives and CASA regulations,” said committee chair Tony Zappia.
“The PFAS Remediation works at Rockhampton Airport are required to remove the PFAS contamination caused by the historical use of PFAS-containing firefighting foam at the old training grounds at the airport.
“It is right that these works are carried out as soon as possible and the Committee supports the proposal.”
In its submission to the committee, Airservices said the NexGen works aim “to modernise ARFFS operations to ensure sufficient ‘Category resilience’ to meet operational requirements”.
“This will involve replacing end-of-life assets including ULFV fleet and select fire stations and moving from a large number of traditional ‘hot fire’ training grounds to a small number of more environmentally sensitive ‘hot fire’ grounds nationally, complemented by local fire-free and foam-free ‘cold drill grounds’,” the submission read.
“The works are also designed to meet workforce commitments and improve people engagement.”
The PFAS remediation works at Rockhampton, meanwhile, will significantly reduce the amount of the chemicals in the soil.
“More than 90 per cent of the estimated PFAS mass (130 kg) in the soils will be remediated. This is expected to significantly mitigate risks to potential receptors on-site and to reduce so far as reasonably practical the migration of PFAS on the Site,” read Airservices’ submission.
“Works are expected to be completed approximately 5-8 months after commencement, subject to favourable weather conditions in far north Queensland.”
Both proposals will be sent to the House of Representatives for approval.
