The emergency planning declaration to support food, medicines and essential supplies getting into stores and onto shelves has been expanded, as natural disaster recovery efforts continue at both ends of the state.
Shops, warehouses and transport depots in 21 local government areas will be permitted to continue to temporarily operate around the clock, in the wake of Tropical Cyclone Alfred.
New services have also been added to the extended Applicable Event Declaration, including service stations, abattoirs and food processing facilities.
Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning and Minister for Industrial Relations Jarrod Bleijie said the declaration expansion was necessary to keep getting 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,” Mr Bleijie said.
“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 Southeast Queensland and the Crisafulli LNP 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 (LGA) included in the extension are:
