Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred - Operational Update Due to Severe Weather Event - Update 8 Recovery

• OPEN FOR BUSINESS - Brisbane Airport and all other major airports in South-East Queensland gradually recommenced flights on Sunday 9 March.
• All other major airports are also operational. 

• OPEN FOR BUSINESS - Qantas Freight confirmed that facilities recommenced operations on Sunday 9 March 2025.
• Qantas Freight provided the following update as at 9:10am AEST Monday 10 March:

  "Qantas and Jetstar have resumed operations to Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast and Ballina. We're continuing to closely monitor the weather conditions and progressively building our schedules.

  As a result of flooding at Hervey Bay Airport, Qantas and Jetstar have suspended operations with further weather and safety assessments to take place tomorrow 10 March 2025. 

  We've made adjustments to our operations to ensure the safety of our people and customers.

  Freight movements

  Freight shipments into and out of affected ports may be delayed and temporary embargoes may be implemented. We ask that only priority and must-ride freight is moved until 10 March 2025 as our operations may be impacted by schedule changes. Urgent freight shipments will receive priority on flights that continue to operate. 

  Brisbane Terminal
  
  Operational update: to assist staff and customers travelling to our facilities, we will adjust our opening time tomorrow to 6am 10 March 2025. 
  ULD storage: our ULD storage area in Brisbane will be closed from midday 5 March 2025 until further notice. Customers will need to wait until the facility reopens to collect or drop off ULDs.
  Storage fees: storage fees will be waived from midday 6 March 2025 through to close of business on 9 March 2025.

  Coolangatta Terminal

  Our facilities at Coolangatta is due to reopen during usual business hours on 10 March 2025, after a safety assessment is conducted."

   

• OPEN FOR BUSINESS - Recommenced operations on Sunday 9 March.   

• OPEN FOR BUSINESS - Recommenced operations on Sunday 9 March.    

• Imports: UPDATED OPEN FOR BUSINESS for Imports. Latest Patrick Client Advice issued Sunday 10 March indicates they recommenced operating from day shift today, Monday 10 March. 
• Exports: UPDATED OPEN FOR BUSINESS for receivals today, Monday 10 March as of day shift.

• Imports: UPDATED OPENING for Imports today. Terminal operations are now planned to resume from Monday 10 March 2025 at 15:00hrs. Will not be accepting any empty returns, with all empty slots removed for the remainder of the week due to backlog.
• Exports: UPDATED OPENING for receivals today at 15:00hrs.

• Imports: UPDATED OPEN FOR BUSINESS for Imports. Recommenced operations today, Monday 10 March at 08:00hrs. 
• Exports: UPDATED OPEN FOR BUSINESS for receivals today, Monday 10 March at 08:00hrs.

• Imports: UPDATED OPEN FOR BUSINESS for Imports. Recommenced operations today, Monday 10 March at 07:00hrs.  
• Exports: UPDATED OPEN FOR BUSINESS for receivals today, Monday 10 March at 07:00hrs.

• DAFF have issued Import Industry Advice Notice 62-2025 advising that due to Tropical Cyclone Alfred, only essential services are continuing from DAFF facilities in Brisbane on Friday 7 March 2025. Decisions about future closures will be made as the event unfolds and impacts are known.
  Online and telephone services continue to operate as normal.
  For further information see IIAN 59-2025: Regulatory Services preparedness for Tropical Cyclone Alfred.
  For further general information about this Import Industry Advice Notice, please contact the department on 1800 900 090.

• The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) on Friday 7 March issued an update on regulatory service adjustments due to Tropical Cyclone Alfred, affecting southern Queensland and northern New South Wales.
• For full details, refer to the full notice: IIAN 59-2025.
• Key Updates:
  • Inspection Services: Resources are being reallocated, with priority given to urgent biosecurity inspections (e.g., perishable goods).
  • Appointment Adjustments: DAFF is contacting affected clients and Approved Arrangement premises to reschedule or bring forward bookings.
  • Import Document Processing: Will continue as normal.
    General Enquiries: The 1800 900 090 hotline remains operational.
  • Potential Delays: Non-urgent commodity inspections may experience delays once weather conditions stabilise.
  • Ongoing Monitoring: DAFF will deploy resources for inspections when it is safe to do so.

• DAFF on Thursday 7March issued Industry Advice Notice 11-2025  outlining contingency arrangements for export certification services due to Tropical Cyclone Alfred. With the Brisbane office closed from 6–10 March 2025, exporters and freight forwarders must follow alternative arrangements for certification services. Full details here. 

Port, Shipping & Transport Disruptions

• Maritime Safety Queensland has announced that shipping operations are set to recommence on Monday, 10 March. However, initial access will be restricted to specific vessels that comply with port limitations until hydrographic surveys give the primary shipping channels the all-clear.

Aviation Disruptions

• Brisbane Airport and all other major airports reopened.

Road & Rail Closures

• Queensland TMR and NSW Roads authorities will provide real-time updates on road closures.
• Flooding and debris encountered. Live updates are available at QLD Road Traffic Updates. 
• Queensland Rail and Pacific National undergoing route surveys via helicopter to determine extent of damage to rail infrastructure (if any). 

Supermarkets

• Retailers (Coles, Woolworths, ALDI, Metcash) have most DC's operational, and transport booked to most stores to replenish stock. A majority of stores re-opened.  

Fuel & Supply Chain Resilience

• Fuel supply is OK. 

Power & Telecommunications

• Energex, Ergon, and NBN all experienced widespread power outages. Energex confirmed it's their worst outage of all time, surpassing any other natural disaster.  
• Telstra, Optus, and Vodafone still using generators for critical infrastructure but networks accessible in most areas.

Flooding & Impact on Freight Corridors

• Major flooding in Grafton, Lismore and flash flooding throughout Brisbane.
• Hervey Bay an emerging focal point on Sunday. 

Emergency & Recovery Planning

• ADF replaced SES in Gold Coast.