Tropical Cyclone Alfred - Operational Update Due to Severe Weather Event - Update 7

• "All passenger flights in and out of Brisbane Airport have been suspended until further notice. 
  Operations at Brisbane Airport will recommence as soon as it is safe to do so, when the weather system has passed and when the Airport's terminals and runways are deemed safe to re-open. 
  Do not come to the Airport until your airline advises you to. 
  Passengers who are currently at the airport for flights that have been cancelled should either make their way home, to a hotel, or to Level 2 of the International Terminal. 
  We will provide updates as and when the situation changes. Please stay safe during this time."  
• Apart from authorised or critical flights, operations and scheduled airline services at Brisbane Airport were discontinued from 4pm yesterday, Thursday 6 March. 

• CLOSED - Qantas Freight confirmed that facilities at Brisbane will be closed from midday 6 March 2025 to midday 8 March 2025. During this time, we will cease all operations.
• Qantas Freight provided the following update as at 1pm AEDT Thursday 6 March:

  "We're closely monitoring Tropical Cyclone Alfred off the coast of South-East Queensland and are working alongside airport authorities, air traffic control and airport services providers to ensure any impact to schedules are clearly communicated to customers and our people.

  The safety of our customers and people is our main priority, and we've cancelled a number of flights on 5 and 6 March 2025 from Ballina (Byron), Coffs Harbour and Gold Coast due to high wind conditions. The situation remains fluid and flight cancellations and delays will evolve over the coming days. 

  Flight disruptions

• Brisbane (BNE) –?Qantas flights will be suspended from mid-afternoon and Jetstar from midday 6 March 2025 until at least midday 7 March 2025
• Gold Coast (OOL) – Qantas operations currently suspended until 1.00pm 7 March 2025 and Jetstar operations currently suspended until at least 3.00pm 7 March 2025
• Coffs Harbour (CFS) – Qantas operations currently suspended until midnight 6 March 2025
• Ballina (BNK) – Qantas and Jetstar operations currently suspended until midnight 6 March 2025

• At this time, flights to and from Sunshine Coast (MCY) and Hervey Bay (HBV) continue as scheduled. We'll continue to review and make changes as required.

  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 flight cancellations. Urgent freight shipments will receive priority on flights that continue to operate. 

  Brisbane Terminal

• Operational update: our facilities at Brisbane will be closed from midday 6 March 2025 to midday 8 March 2025. During this time, we will cease all operations.
• 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 have been closed, due to reopen during usual business hours on 10 March 2025 if viable to do so.

  The safety of our customers and people remain our main priority, and we will continue to review and make changes as required." 

• CLOSED - As a result of flight cancellations, dnata are closed until further notice.   

• CLOSED - As a result of flight cancellations, Menzies has confirmed that they are closed until further notice.  

• Favourable weather and sea conditions,
• Review of navigable channels within the Brisbane Pilotage area. 

• Imports: UPDATED CLOSED for Imports. Latest Patrick Client Advice issued Thursday 6 March indicates they plan to recommence operating from day shift Sunday 9 March subject to the resumption of shipping, if safe to do so. 
• Exports: Cargo receivals suspended until further notice.

• Imports: CLOSED for Imports. Terminal operations are now planned to resume from Monday 10 March 2025 at 07:00 if safe to do so. 
• Exports: Cargo receivals suspended until further notice.

• Imports: CLOSED for Imports. Terminal will  resume operations Monday 10th Mar 2025 if safe to do so. 
• Exports: Cargo receivals suspended until further notice.

• Imports: CLOSED for Imports. Terminal will  resume operations Monday 10th Mar 2025 if safe to do so. 
• Exports: Cargo receivals suspended until further notice.

• 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) has 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 yesterday 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 (MSQ) has suspended inbound shipping movements.
• Queensland coastal ferry services now paused 
• Potential delays in reopening after the cyclone passes.

Aviation Disruptions

• Brisbane Airport to remain technically open, but operations will be impacted to ramp services when wind speeds exceed 40 knots.
• Qantas, Jetstar, and QantasLink ceasing operations at Ballina, Gold Coast, and Coffs Harbour.
• 27 aircraft at Brisbane Airport may be relocated.

Road & Rail Closures

• Queensland TMR and NSW Roads authorities will provide real-time updates on road closures.
• Flooding and debris are expected to impact major transport routes.
• Queensland Rail will cease operations when the cyclone reaches 150km from the coast.

Supermarkets

• Retailers (Coles, Woolworths, ALDI, Metcash) increasing stock levels of essential goods.
• Bottled water supplies under strain, with limits imposed.
• Supermarket generators prepared, but widespread power loss could disrupt refrigeration.
• New South Wales government urged to lift delivery curfews, following Queensland's decision.

Fuel & Supply Chain Resilience

• Concern over access to fuel for emergency vehicles and generators.
• Shipping Australia raised potential need for Coastal Trading Act exemptions to move goods between Australian ports if required, with international shipping lines at the ready if required.

Power & Telecommunications

• Energex, Ergon, and NBN preparing for widespread power outages.
• Telstra, Optus, and Vodafone preparing generators for critical infrastructure.
• Potential emergency aerial support for restoring power and refuelling generators.

Flooding & Impact on Freight Corridors

• Major flooding risk in Lower Brisbane River, Wilsons River, and Richmond River (Lismore).
• Storm surge of 0.5–1m expected at Southport, Main Beach, and Coolangatta Beach.

Emergency & Recovery Planning

• ADF mobilised for flood recovery and sandbag distribution.
• Logistics providers urged to monitor alternate transport routes.
• Temporary accommodation may be needed for displaced workers