Cairns Airport is committed to continual improvement and strives to meet industry best practice, lead as an influential example and operate in an environmentally responsible and sustainable manner while upholding our company Mission, Vision and Values.  A number of initiatives such as LED lighting, water efficiency regulators, recycling and waste audits have been implemented and our operations comply with our Environmental Management Plan. 

Environment and the Community

Cairns Airport is proud to work with the local community, universities and not-for-profit organisations to better understand and protect the natural environment and native flora and fauna that rely on it. Our environmental partnerships focus on pest species management, water quality and revegetation of the Barron River riparian zone. Cairns Airport also supports various research projects within the surrounding mangrove ecosystems through partnerships with universities and other research institutions. The Cairns Airport Environmental Consultative Committee (AECC) meets every three months and provides a forum for meaningful dialogue between Cairns Airport, Airservices Australia, Airline representatives, local community representatives, local government and other stakeholders to address environmental issues which are of concern.

Environmental Protection

Through training programs, policies, specialised equipment and infrastructure, potential sources of pollution such as fuel storage facilities are managed to minimise the risk to people and the environment. Cairns Airport has spill response kits and trained staff available to respond to any environmental incidents 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. All incidents are recorded and managed with involvement from environmental specialists, local council and relevant government departments.

Cairns Airport works closely with tenants, contractors and operators to ensure that all incidents are reported in a timely manner. If you have witnessed or have been a part of an environmental incident such as a fuel or chemical spill, vegetation damage or waterway pollution on airport landholdings, please complete the NQA Environmental Incident Report Form and return it to environment@cairnsairport.com.au within 48hrs of the incident occurring. The incident may also need to be reported to the Cairns Regional Council or the State Department of Environment and Heritage Protection.

Click here to download the NQA Environmental Incident Report Form 

Natural Disasters and Climate Change

Environmental factors such as cyclone activity, flooding and storm surge can damage airport assets as well as impact on operations. Under future climate change predictions and the associated sea level rise, these environmental factors are likely to intensify. The Airport has a Cyclone Plan in place and has undertaken an internal risk screening and risk assessment process using the mapping tools and guidelines published in the National Climate Change Adaptation Research Facility’s Coast Adapt program. The risk assessment considered current risks as well as future risks in 2030 and 2070, producing a risk register that is utilised in our long-term planning.