10 Nov 2025
Video: Lab PFAS testing expansion
Council’s Townsville Laboratory Services continues to grow from strength to strength, building on its humble beginnings three decades ago to today providing a suite of essential environmental testing services to the Northern region and beyond.
22 July 2026
Lab PFAS testing expansion
Skip to descriptionCouncil’s Townsville Laboratory Services continues to grow from strength to strength, building on its humble beginnings three decades ago to today providing a suite of essential environmental testing services to the Northern region and beyond.
Video Transcript
Mayor Nick Dametto:
Testing for PFAS is so important for local governments, but also government agencies that need to make sure that the soil that's being removed from areas or waterthat's being used is being tested and is safe.
If contaminated soil is being brought up through any sort of civil construction, it's been disposed of correctly.
TLS Manager and lead scientist Edgar Salvador:
In the last ten or so years, we've been rapidly expanding in terms of capability to address the growing demand for testing in North Queensland.
We have recently expanded our PFAS capability to include solids, biosolids and soil testing.
In the whole country, there are only about 16 laboratories with accreditation for PFAS testing and we are proud to be one of them.
And we're the only Council owned laboratory in the whole country with PFAS accreditation.
Mayor Nick Dametto:
We’re trying to expand our income streams for the Townsville City Council and doing that through the Townsville labs is working for us tenfold.
We're able to test right here everything we need from water quality right through to PFAS for our Townsville City Council local government area.
AusAlert National Test - Monday 27 July
AusAlert is a new Australia-wide warning system that uses the latest technology to send emergency messages to compatible mobile devices. It will be ready to use in October 2026, but before it launches, the system will be tested across Australia.
On Monday 27 July at 2pm, your mobile devices, such as mobile phones, tablets and smart watches, may receive a test alert. The message will vibrate and include a loud siren-like sound that lasts about 10 seconds. As this is just a test, you don't need to do anything, but in an actual disaster you should follow alert instructions to keep yourself and others safe.