New inundation comes fortnight after previous heavy inundation
The Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) and other state authorities are working to ease the transportation burden in the flooded north of the state for the second time in two weeks.
A number of areas are currently affected due to the severe weather events from ex-tropical Cyclone Nora it says in a message to the Queensland Trucking Association (QTA) and online.
The areas include Gulf of Carpentaria, Aurukun, Kowanyama, Pormpuraaw, Weipa, Normanton, Doomadgee, Mornington Island, Mt Isa, Ingham, Innisfail and Cairns Region.
As is usual at such times, a Flood Recovery Road Access Group (FRRAG) has been established by Transport and Main Roads (TMR) and the Queensland Police Service (QPS) to manage emergency and disaster heavy vehicle access under the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL).
Heavy vehicle operators needing emergency and disaster recovery road access to flooded areas in Central and Far North Queensland can use a hotline and an email inbox to apply for emergency and disaster recovery access applications (under the provisions of the Heavy Vehicle National Law) and to provide information on alternative routes.
To apply for emergency or disaster recovery access applications or get information about alternate routes call 1300 105 647 or email floodrecovery_roadaccess@tmr.qld.gov.au.
“The hotline will enable operators to access specific information on alternative routes they can use,” TMR says.
“They can apply for heavy vehicle emergency permits that cannot be provided through normal processes in affected regions, or when special access is required in cases of emergency or great need.”
The department has also released images of rockfalls on the Captain Cook Highway.
“We’re guiding vehicles through one at a time between Wangetti and Oak Beach, where the highway’s down to one lane. Two lanes are open between Buchan Point to Wangetti,” it says in a facebook post.
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A blockage on the Captain Cook Highway