Cyclone preparations underway at Abbot Point
By Industry Queensland
Abbot Point Operations (APO) reckon they have the measure of this season’s cyclone threat.
APO has activated its Severe Weather Committee to ensure the billion dollar asset and the near 400 people who work there were ready said Health, Safety, Environment, and Community Manager Kate Mee.
Part of the preparation include torches, tarps, and pre-packaged chicken parmigiana, lasagne, and vegetarian risotto meals.
High priority assets included APO’s state-of-the-art water management systems and the nearly 40-metre-high stacker-reclaimers.
“We collaborate with NQXT, the port authority, and various State and Commonwealth departments to make sure we’re prepared for the wet season, and that approach works really well,” Ms Mee said.
“Living in tropical north Queensland means it’s important we know our site is clear of debris and we can safely and quickly store away equipment or lockdown our infrastructure, not just for a cyclone, but for any of the severe weather systems that can pop up during the wet season.
“It’s also important we look after our people. We make sure we have our contact details up to date and that there is food, water, and supporting facilities in place in case our team ever gets cut off from town.”
APO encouraged locals across the Whitsundays and Mackay to make sure they were cyclone ready at home said Project Supervisor Matt Kingwill.
“Alot of what we do at the port can be repeated at home – just on a smaller scale – and now, before a cyclone is bearing down on us, is the best time to take action if you haven’t already,” Mr Kingwill said.
“Removing loose sheets of iron or pieces of timber laying about your property and securing your outdoor furniture, LPG bottles, boat or caravan are some of the common sense things that can be the difference between someone being injured or your property or a neighbour’s property being damaged.”
Main photo: APO Environment and Community Officer Lauren Barber with some of the frozen meals that will keep the team fed should wet weather cut the road between the port and town.
