Townsville's own specialist science lab has undergone a major expansion in its ability to test for harmful "forever chemicals", strengthening environmental monitoring across the North.
It's a milestone Mayor Nick Dametto said cemented Townsville as a leader in environmental analysis in northern Australia.
Often referred to as "forever chemicals", per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are an emerging global health concern, with growing regulatory scrutiny and community concern around their persistence in the environment.
PFAS and PFAS-containing products are banned across Australia, and stringent environmental testing and monitoring frameworks must be followed by regulators, industries and communities alike.
The Council-run Townsville Laboratory Service (TLS) has scaled up to meet this growing testing demand, building on its existing PFAS testing accreditation for water and wastewater to include a broader range of materials, such as soils, biosolids, sediments, sludges and solid wastes.
Cr Dametto said the move was a win for the community, delivering essential environmental testing close to home.
"As the only PFAS-accredited local government lab in Australia, the TLS provides our region with high-demand testing without the need to rely on southern and interstate laboratories," he said.
"With customers ranging from other councils, right through to government departments, environmental consultants and the mining industry, this expansion reflects the expertise and dedication of our scientific team.
"It is also a great endorsement of Council's long-term investment in a state-of-the-art, in-house laboratory capability, which pays dividends each year as a significant income stream for the city.
"Revenue generated by the TLS is reinvested into Council services, infrastructure and the broader community, meaning everyone benefits from the amazing work our scientists do.
"This expanded testing capability also strengthens Council's collaboration with universities and academic institutions, all of which are working hard and conducting important research towards the effective and sustainable management of these environmental contaminants."
James Cook University Associate Professor Dr Elsa Antunes, who has completed extensive research on management and control methods for PFAS amongst other contaminants, said the expanded local testing capacity was a win for the North.
"The TLS facility is a vital resource for research – access to NATA-accredited laboratories is increasingly important to ensure the highest standards of analytical quality, accuracy, and reliability for research outcomes." Dr Antunes said.
"PFAS analysis is particularly complex and requires specialised expertise and accredited methodologies.
"Having this capability available in Townsville represents a significant advancement for both the research community and industry, strengthening regional capacity and enabling faster, high-quality environmental and industrial testing."
Residents and industry can learn more about TLS's PFAS testing services at Council's website.
