A clean-up is underway in Far North Queensland after thousands of litres of kerosene and bitumen spilled into a creek in Cairns.

The Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation (DETSI) said the spill was first reported by building company Boral on Monday.

DETSI said it had since been leading the clean-up of "about 10,000 litres of kerosene and bitumen" at Smith's Creek.

The spill is impacting Trinity Inlet around the city's port, which leads out to the Great Barrier Reef.

In a statement, a Boral spokesperson said the spill first occurred at its asphalt plant site over the weekend, due to a "bund safety valve failure".

"This was discovered after the plant was closed and an unrelated fire in a neighbouring industrial business," the spokesperson said.

" We regret the

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