Airservices Australia will appear before the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works (the Committee) for a public hearing in Rockhampton, Qld, on Thursday, 18 September 2025. The hearing will examine two referrals currently under inquiry by the Committee: PFAS Remediation of the Former Fire Training Ground at Rockhampton Airport, Queensland and Aviation Rescue Fire Fighting Services NexGen Project for the End-of-life Facilities Upgrades – Phase 1A (Queensland and Victoria).
The PFAS referral proposes remedial actions for the management of Per- and Poly-Fluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) contamination resulting from historical firefighting operations on the site of the Former Firefighting Training Ground (FFTG) at Rockhampton Airport, Queensland. The total estimated cost of the proposed works is $24.975 million.
The proposed NexGen Project works will include the rebuilding of three end of life facilities (Cairns, Rockhampton, Mackay), minor works across 3 sites (Gladstone, Sunshine Coast, and Melbourne Learning Academy), the replacement of Ultra Large Fire Vehicles, and works for cold drill grounds to support training objectives and meet CASA regulations and meet ongoing workforce capability training needs. The total estimated cost of the proposed works is $163.4 million.
Mr Tony Zappia MP, Chair of the Committee, said, 'the Committee is looking forward to conducting its first site inspections and away hearings of this Parliament'. Mr Zappia also said that 'it is vital for the Committee to get out of Canberra and see how Commonwealth funding is being spent on the ground and we're eager to see the proposed work sites at Rockhampton Airport'.
The Committee will hear from relevant officers from Airservices Australia and local land holder, Ms Chris Stasch, at the hearing. Interested members of the public are encouraged to listen in to the public hearing via the APH website or attend the hearing in person at the location listed below.
Public hearing details
Date: Thursday, 18 September 2025
Time: 9:20 am – 10:20 am – PFAS (AEST)
Time: 10.50 am – 11.30 am – NexGen (AEST)
Location: Apartments on Palmer, Conference Room, 5 Palmer Street Rockhampton
The hearing will be broadcast live at aph.gov.au/live
Please note: the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works is not involved in the tendering process, awarding of contracts or details of the proposed works. Enquiries on these matters should be directed to the relevant Commonwealth entities.
