Tropical Cyclone Alfred news and updates, Friday March 7
Stay in touch with all the latest news in posts below.
Key Events
NSW Premier says window for destruction is now longer
NSW Premier Chris Minns and his disaster management team are speaking in Lismore ahead of Cyclone Alfred’s landfall.
Mr Minns has delivered the unfortunate news that modelling on the length of the weather event has now increased.
“Alfred is behaving at the moment like a completely unwanted houseguest,” Mr Minns said.
“It’s told us it’s going to be late but linger even longer.
“Unfortunately that means the window for destruction in our community, heavy rains, winds, powerful surf is longer.
“As a result we will be leaning on the local community, this resilient tough and defiant community to do their bit.”
Albanese says no approach made for troops in Ukraine
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has said he has not been approached to provide troops to support Ukraine in any capacity as the war against Russia rages.
Appearing on Sky News with Kieran Gilbert, Mr Albanese would not rule out Australian troops heading to Ukraine but has no plans to do so at the moment.
“This is a struggle for Ukraine, but we have had no requests for troops,” Mr Albanese said.
“But we are involved in training Ukraine fighters in the UK using Australian troops.”
NSW Police release evacuation centres ahead of Cyclone deluge
The NSW police force have released a list of evacuation centres for residents in the path of extreme weather caused by Cyclone Alfred.
- Yalgum Hall, Coolman Street, Tyalgum NSW 2484
- Lindisfarne Anglican Grammar, 86 Mahers Lane, Terranora NSW 2486
- Mullumbimby RSL, 58 Dalley Street, Mullumbimby NSW 2482
- Kingscliff TAFE, 806 Cudgen Road, Kingscliff NSW 2487
- Murwillumbah TAFE, 146 Murwillumbah Street, Murwillumbah NSW 2484
- Kyogle Memorial Hall Stratheden Street, Kyogle NSW 2474
- Casino Showground, Casino NSW 2470
- Southern Cross University, Military Road, East Lismore NSW 2480
- Evans Head RSL, 11-13 McDonald Place, Evans Head NSW 2473
- Burringar Sports Club, Fourth Avenue, Burringbar NSW 2483
- Uki Hall, 1462 Kyogle Road, Uki NSW 2484
- Coraki Public School, 50 Adams Street, Coraki NSW 2471
- Ocean Shores Country Club, 113A Orana Road, Ocean Shores NSW 2483
- Ballina Southern Cross Public School, Chickiba Drive, East Ballina NSW 2478
Cyclone Alfred pumps the brakes and that is not necessarily good news
Weather watchers have delivered an update on Cyclone Alfred that on face value sounds good, but actually could be worse for those in the path of the storm.
The cyclone has slowed its descent on the Australian coastline which means the already severe weather patterns created ahead of landfall will persist for longer.
Alfred was about 20km further away from Brisbane at 7pm AEST on Wednesday than it was at 10am AEST the same day.
While Alfred was previously expected to make landfall over southeast Qld on Thursday night or early Friday morning, it is now more likely to approach the coast later on Friday which will delay the most intense weather.
Alfred’s storm surge will have the greatest impact on flooding if it coincides with an ever-rising high tide.
PM rules out calling election during cyclone crisis
As the clock ticks nearer to crucial dates for the Prime Minister to call the federal election, Anthony Albanese has been asked by reporters if he may make the call this week.
“I’m focused on the needs of Australians this week,” Mr Albanese said.
“As many people here are focused on something else. This isn’t a time for party politics.
“I’m just focused on doing my job in governing and that’s something I’ve been focused on since the 23rd of May 2022, when I was sworn in as prime minister.”
PM quizzed over failure to deliver national disaster text alert system
The Prime Minister has been quizzed on the proposed national disaster alert text messaging system that is not in place ahead of Cyclone Alfred, which has the potential to be one the nations worst ever natural disasters.
When asked why it has not been delivered and if people are at risk because it is not operational the PM responded.
“I would prefer it was ready, but it’s been complex to deliver.”
“We have put in place the current emergency alert system which as always is going to be the primary messaging system for the high risk weather season.”
National disaster response plan activated and PM will stay in situation room
Anthony Albanese has activated the national disaster reponse plan and will stay in the situation room in Canberra to provide updates to the nation.
“A crisis coordination team that will operate out of here and I intend operating out of here for coming days,” Mr Albanese said.
“It’s probably the best place I can be to make sure that there is seamless activity between New South Wales and Queensland. So, put it in your diary, this time tomorrow, I intend to be here again.
“But if need be, as required, if there’s a further update required then I will do that this afternoon.
“The national coordination mechanism is providing support and importantly, we have people from NEMA there in the meeting where I was yesterday, in Queensland, similarly in the New South Wales coordination as well.”
ADF steps up involvement as nation rally behind cyclone affected areas
The Australian Defence Force has been mobilised as the PM co-ordinates the Cyclone Alfred disaster management plans from Canberra.
“We’ve delivered 310,000 sand bags into Brisbane for distribution across councils and there’s more on their way,” Mr Albanese said.
“60 ADF personnel and 30 high clearance vehicles are pre-positioned to go to Queensland and support police and SES volunteers as we move to the recovery phase.
“They’ll door knock to identify and support at-risk people. We have approved in addition to that two ADF search and rescue choppers to support Queensland post-crossing.
“Yesterday we pre-positioned heavy lift helicopters from our national aerial firefighting fleet. It’s being deployed to Coffs Harbour, and a UH60 Black Hawk is being pre-positioned in Bundaberg.”
Hundreds of schools closed as government announce funding ahead of cyclone
The PM has announced a range of relief funding and efforts from government ahead of the impact of Cyclone Alfred.
“More than 660 schools are closed across south east Queensland and more than 280 schools are closed across northern New South Wales,” Mr Albanese told reporters on Thursday.
“I can as well update you on the following response from the Commonwealth. We’ve received a request from both Queensland and New South Wales overnight.
“There will be early recovery grants of $1 million for affected councils, I will sign off on those at Parliament House immediately after this finishes.”
Albanese calls on business to play their part in assisting local communities
Anthony Albanese has called on business to play their role in assisting the Australian community in the path of Cyclone Alfred.
“Supermarkets, telcos, banking, freight companies, are all of the organisations which will play a role first in preparedness, then in dealing with the impact of this cyclone and, in the recovery period which will occur.”
“My message to people, whether they be in south east Queensland or northern New South Wales, is we are there to support you.
“We have your back. We respect the work that you are doing in your preparedness and we know that this is tough times and that’s why every Australian, regardless of where they are in this great country of ours, is thinking of you over the coming period.”
