Rapid Remediation Saves Remote Australian Island from Lasting Damage

In 2023, a military aircraft incident occurred on the remote Melville Island off the northern coast of Australia. The incident and subsequent fire significantly damaged the pristine environment and contaminated the area with aviation fuel and composite materials, including carbon fibre, metals, fibreglass and thermoplastics.

Jacobs’ team in Darwin was uniquely positioned to assist and was rapidly engaged by the Commonwealth Department of Defence to provide project management and contract administration (PMCA), environmental investigation and remediation management services. With Jacobs’ support, the Department of Defence also engaged an experienced remediation contractor, Ventia, to deliver the remediation works. The project presented a range of factors that, while not unusual to encounter on their own, in combination resulted in a unique project environment. They included:

• A highly remote location
• Extreme, tropical weather conditions
• Tight timeframes for investigation through to remediation completion
• Complex stakeholder engagement and communications
• Commencing cleanup during an active aircraft incident investigation
• Maintaining the safety of project personnel and community members on and around the site

In particular, the impending monsoonal weather (October to April) created a challenging 13-week timeline to complete the investigation and remediation works. Any delay risked spreading contamination into waterways vital for hunting, fishing and drinking water on the Indigenous Mantiyupwi Country. 

Remote location and lack of facilities demanded creative collaborations

As Melville Island is remote, with little access to mainland resources, the Jacobs and Ventia project teams engaged with the community early to integrate local resources into the remediation process. This included:

• Using existing camp facilities to accommodate the entire site team
• Sourcing gravel and topsoil from on-island locations in partnership with the Tiwi Land Council
• Using local marine suppliers to facilitate movement of plant and equipment to and from the island
• Engagement of Indigenous Tiwi people in various aspects of the project, from site inspections to cultural advisory roles

From the outset, timely collaboration and daily stakeholder consultation were critical. The remote location made this challenging, so the project team established a dedicated trailer for satellite and mobile communications, with clear guidelines for contact checkpoints and check-ins.

To manage the contamination effectively, the project team set up an onsite laboratory at a nearby boarding school, Tiwi College. The laboratory enabled real-time data collection, allowing for immediate analysis and swift decision-making. The ability to obtain real-time data was instrumental in adapting the remediation strategy dynamically and ensure the thorough removal of contaminants quickly and efficiently. Using Tiwi College as an on-site laboratory also provided essential goods and services such as water and fuel. This arrangement not only supported the project's logistical needs but also injected funds directly into local institutions, strengthening the community's economic infrastructure.

Project facilitates exchange of skills and knowledge 

The social benefits of this project were multifaceted, encompassing cultural respect and long-term improvements for the Tiwi people. The project facilitated knowledge transfer between the remediation experts and the local community, in a two-way exchange. Environmental management remediation techniques are beneficial to the island’s residents for future use, while the project team gained invaluable knowledge of Mantiyupwi Country from the Tiwi people. This not only provided short-term employment but also contributed to skill development among the local workforce.

Despite the remote location, environmental conditions and ongoing aircraft incident investigation, the site was restored to its pristine condition. Aircraft incidents, although rare, present a unique risk to the environment, which Jacobs and Ventia were able to respond to and manage quickly and effectively.

A joint memorial was constructed at the remediated site to commemorate the three U.S. marines who sadly lost their lives in the aircraft incident. This also acknowledged their families for their loss as part of a traditional Tiwi pukamani (farewell) ceremony, providing a space for healing and remembrance. This memorial offers a place for both the Tiwi people and others to reflect and pay respects.

Award-winning work

Jacobs and Ventia’s work on the project was awarded the Australasian Land & Groundwater Association (ALGA) Best Contaminated Site Remediation Project in 2024.