Site investigation
- Aurecon Australasia Pty Ltd (with Senversa) is the contaminated land specialist leading the Program investigation at Mount Isa Airport.
- The Program investigation at Mount Isa Airport commenced in March 2024 and is anticipated to take approximately three years to complete.
- The investigation’s focus is sampling and analysis on airport land to determine the nature and extent of PFAS in various media including soil and groundwater. This will include assessment of potential migration pathways between the airport and surrounding potential receptors.
- An accredited contaminated land auditor from Environmental Earth Sciences International Group has been engaged by the department to independently audit the investigation to ensure compliance with relevant regulations, national guidance and best practice.
- To support the review of key investigation reports and plans, an Investigation Consultation Forum (ICF) has been formed. The ICF members include the department, the contaminated land specialist, the accredited contaminated land auditor, the Airport and relevant state agencies.
- Airport participation in the Program is voluntary. Mount Isa Airport signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the department to join the Program on 11 July 2023.
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Where is the investigation up to?
- The Mount Isa Airport investigation includes a Preliminary Site Investigation (PSI), Sampling Analysis and Quality Plan (SAQP) and Detailed Site Investigation (DSI).
- The PSI report and the SAQP have been finalised following review by the ICF members.
- Fieldworks associated with the DSI commenced in September 2025 and were completed in February 2026. The DSI report is currently being drafted and will summarise the investigation outcomes and identify and recommend next steps.
Next steps
- An ICF to consider the DSI report is expected to be held in July 2026.
- A Mass Flux Study and Human Health and Ecological Risk Assessment may be conducted if the investigation identifies they are required.
- The investigation will inform the development of a PFAS Management Plan for Mount Isa Airport that will outline the recommended management options to address any identified elevated risk of exposure to PFAS to human health and/or the environment.
Additional information
- Answers to other questions on PFAS and the PFAS Airports Investigation Program can be found on our website here: PFAS—your questions answered.
Contact information
- An information line and email have been established by Aurecon to provide information about the investigation:
- Community information line: 1800 978 725
- Email: MountIsaAirport.PFAS@aurecongroup.com
Last updated 12 June 2026.