The Queensland government has expanded the timeframe that transport depots will be able to operate around the clock in the wake of ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred.
When the cyclone first hit last week, the government allowed operators, shops and warehouses in 21 local government areas to temporarily work 24 hours, with this permission now extended as the state fights to recover from the weather event.
The emergency planning declaration means transport depots, alongside service stations, abattoirs, food processing facilities, supermarkets, warehouses, hardware and health services can all engage in resupply around the clock.
Deputy Queensland premier Jarrod Bleijie says the expansion of the declaration is needed to get as much stock back on the shelves as possible.
“We remain focused on restoring the food and essential supply chains that were affected by Tropical Cyclone Alfred,” he says.
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“This expansion will enable business including shops, health care services, chemists, warehouses, transport depots, servos and hardware supply businesses to restock 24/7.
“This was a once in a 50-year extreme weather event that caused significant damage across south-east Queensland and the government is determined to help get Queenslanders back on their feet as quickly as possible.
“By temporarily lifting these restrictions, it will enable supermarkets to have more supply hit the shelves and empower supermarkets to continue to do all they can to meet the demand. The Applicable Event Declaration for Far North Queensland and North Queensland remains in place, as local communities continue their recovery efforts.
“We are still focused on Far North Queensland and North Queensland communities that are still picking up the pieces from their catastrophic flooding event last month.
“The Applicable Event declaration remains active for those communities, allowing shops and supermarkets to restock around-the-clock as well.”
The 21 local government areas included in the extension range from Brisbane and Bundaberg to Gold Coast, Goondiwindi, Ipswich, Logan, Moreton Bay, Redland, Scenic Rim, Sunshine Coast and Toowoomba.
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