Environment

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Environmental Protection

At Adelaide Airport, environmental management is grounded in strict compliance with all relevant regulations and a strong commitment to minimising the impact of airport operations on the environment and surrounding community. We are committed to effective management and monitoring of noise, local air quality, stormwater, soil and groundwater quality, and hazardous substances on airport grounds.

Local Air Quality

Adelaide Airport is situated within a highly urbanised area surrounded by residential, recreational and industrial zones. Adelaide Airport Ltd (AAL) is responsible for managing air emissions generated by ground-based activities at Adelaide Airport. This covers activities such as refuelling, painting, cleaning, machining, mechanical maintenance, generator use, commercial cooking, and construction.

See how we manage our Air Quality

Stormwater

Stormwater pollution at Adelaide Airport arises from similar sources to those in urban catchments, namely vehicles, roads, vegetation, sediment, general commercial activities, and hazardous substances storages. To mitigate these impacts, all new developments must include pollution prevention devices. High-risk tenants are regularly inspected to check for compliance and pollution controls. Additional risks from apron activities like refuelling and aircraft washing are managed through AAL’s Aircraft Washing Guidelines and spill response procedures under the Airport Emergency Plan. The airport is bordered by the Cowandilla-Mile End Drain to the north, the Airport Drain to the west, and Keswick-Brownhill Creek to the east and south. These highly urbanised catchments drain into a diversion basin and out to the Gulf of St Vincent via Barcoo Outlet. However, during high rainfall events, stormwater drains directly to the Patawalonga Lake, which eventually flows into Gulf St Vincent. The airport’s internal drainage system directs most stormwater into the Airport Drain, also discharging to the lake. Adelaide Airport is committed to improving stormwater quality and improving aquatic ecosystem health.

View our Stormwater Quality Management and Improvement Plan (SQMIP)

Local Air Quality

Adelaide Airport is situated within a highly urbanised area surrounded by residential, recreational and industrial zones. Adelaide Airport Ltd (AAL) is responsible for managing air emissions generated by ground-based activities at Adelaide Airport. This covers activities such as refuelling, painting, cleaning, machining, mechanical maintenance, generator use, commercial cooking, and construction.

See how we manage our Air Quality

Stormwater

Stormwater pollution at Adelaide Airport arises from similar sources to those in urban catchments, namely vehicles, roads, vegetation, sediment, general commercial activities, and hazardous substances storages. To mitigate these impacts, all new developments must include pollution prevention devices. High-risk tenants are regularly inspected to check for compliance and pollution controls. Additional risks from apron activities like refuelling and aircraft washing are managed through AAL’s Aircraft Washing Guidelines and spill response procedures under the Airport Emergency Plan. The airport is bordered by the Cowandilla-Mile End Drain to the north, the Airport Drain to the west, and Keswick-Brownhill Creek to the east and south. These highly urbanised catchments drain into a diversion basin and out to the Gulf of St Vincent via Barcoo Outlet. However, during high rainfall events, stormwater drains directly to the Patawalonga Lake, which eventually flows into Gulf St Vincent. The airport’s internal drainage system directs most stormwater into the Airport Drain, also discharging to the lake. Adelaide Airport is committed to improving stormwater quality and improving aquatic ecosystem health.

View our Stormwater Quality Management and Improvement Plan (SQMIP)

Soil and Groundwater

Adelaide Airport is committed to ongoing management of contamination, both recent and historic, to minimise risks to human health and the environment. This includes implementation of our Contaminated Site Management Plan, associated regular auditing and monitoring programs, and routine environmental site assessments prior to new developments or changes in leasing arrangements. Of particular focus is the management of per- and poly-fluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS), a group of synthetic chemicals previously used in various industrial and consumer products, including some firefighting foams historically applied at Australian airports by Airservices Australia. For more information on PFAS, visit our dedicated

For more information on PFAS, visit our dedicated PFAS page

Hazardous Substances

Hazardous substances, primarily aviation fuels and oils, are routinely used at the airport and, if not managed properly, have the potential to cause harm to the environmental and human health. To mitigate this risk, all storage facilities, tanks, and associated spill response equipment are regularly inspected for compliance with relevant standards. Adelaide Airport provides spill response training to staff and airport operators, with spill kits strategically located in both airside and landside locations. Large spill incidents are managed under the Airport Emergency Plan. Asbestos-containing materials are also managed in accordance with state regulations and AAL’s Asbestos Management Plan. An Asbestos Register is maintained for all AAL-owned buildings, and selected materials are removed on a risk basis. All demolition works must refer to the register, and any asbestos removal must be carried out by a licensed contractor.

View more about our Environmental commitment

Soil and Groundwater

Adelaide Airport is committed to ongoing management of contamination, both recent and historic, to minimise risks to human health and the environment. This includes implementation of our Contaminated Site Management Plan, associated regular auditing and monitoring programs, and routine environmental site assessments prior to new developments or changes in leasing arrangements. Of particular focus is the management of per- and poly-fluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS), a group of synthetic chemicals previously used in various industrial and consumer products, including some firefighting foams historically applied at Australian airports by Airservices Australia. For more information on PFAS, visit our dedicated

For more information on PFAS, visit our dedicated PFAS page

Hazardous Substances

Hazardous substances, primarily aviation fuels and oils, are routinely used at the airport and, if not managed properly, have the potential to cause harm to the environmental and human health. To mitigate this risk, all storage facilities, tanks, and associated spill response equipment are regularly inspected for compliance with relevant standards. Adelaide Airport provides spill response training to staff and airport operators, with spill kits strategically located in both airside and landside locations. Large spill incidents are managed under the Airport Emergency Plan. Asbestos-containing materials are also managed in accordance with state regulations and AAL’s Asbestos Management Plan. An Asbestos Register is maintained for all AAL-owned buildings, and selected materials are removed on a risk basis. All demolition works must refer to the register, and any asbestos removal must be carried out by a licensed contractor.

View more about our Environmental commitment

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