General News
30 September, 2025
Boral admits responsibility for Smiths Creek spill
BORAL has admitted responsibility for about 10,000 litres of kerosene and bitumen spilling into Smiths Creek, spreading through Admiralty Point and into Trinity Inlet, prompting warnings for boaters and concerns about potential environmental damage.
The Department of Environment, Science, Tourism and Innovation (DETSI) confirmed it is leading the investigation, with support from Maritime Safety Queensland (MSQ) and the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority.
“DETSI officers were quickly on-site to take samples and assess the situation,” a spokeswoman said.
“Given the proximity of this spill to the Great Barrier Reef, our priority is to ensure it is not further spread, which is why impacted vessels must be cleaned before they leave Trinity Inlet.”
Authorities say the spill has coated mangroves, water surfaces and even the hulls of vessels. Recreational boaters have been warned to avoid contaminated waters and not to depart Cairns Harbour unless their hulls are free of pollutants.
Building materials giant Boral has admitted responsibility, blaming a bund safety valve failure at its Cairns asphalt plant.
“Unfortunately, a prime spill from our Cairns asphalt plant occurred over the weekend due to a bund safety valve failure,” a company spokesman said. “We regret the impact this has had on the local community and environment. Since then, we’ve been working collaboratively with authorities … on securing the source and the clean-up effort.”
Members of the public with concerns have been urged to contact Boral directly at community@boral.com.au
Video of the Smiths Creek spill. Video: Hugh Bohane
DETSI said that Boral had self-reported the incident but confirmed that potential compliance action is being considered.
“In a separate incident yesterday, there was a paint shop fire which resulted in fire water and residue entering Smiths Creek. We believe this was heavily diluted and do not consider this to pose a significant environmental risk,” DETSI said.
Local boat users have expressed concern over the sight and smell of the slick, with fears about longer-term impacts on fishing, crabbing and mangrove ecosystems. The extent of environmental damage is still being assessed. Still, authorities are warning vigilance is needed to ensure contaminants do not spread further into the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park waters.
MSQ wrote on their Facebook page advising boaties to “please report hull fouling or other impacts by emailing pollutionhotline@detsi.qld.gov.au or visit https://bit.ly/3IllhUg.”
