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Tourists To Evacuate Queensland Islands

 (3.5) marks: 2

The approach of cyclone Ului on the Queensland Coast has prompted two islands to initiate an evacuation plan for their resorts. Both Heron Island and lady Elliot Island are preparing to relocate all guests to the mainland coast.

Cyclone Ului, currently sits approximately 1200km north east of Mackay on the central Queensland coast.

Heron Island lies just off the Queensland Coast near Rockhampton while Lady Elliot Island is close by sitting just of Gladstone. Police have reported that the two islands will evacuate their guests.

A statement posted on the website of Heron Island Resort confirms the plan to remove guests, stating “The Queensland coast is currently experiencing high seas and adverse weather conditions due to tropical Cyclone Ului”.

It goes on to explain that “Due to the strong winds, Heron Island Resort is taking precautionary measures and will be closed from Wednesday 17th March through to Saturday 20th March inclusive.” It is unclear how many guests are to be moved by the resort.

Lady Elliot Island Resort are yet to comment further about the evacuation as police say that both staff and guests prepare to leave the island.

In related developments, The Mayor of Rockhampton, Brad Carter says the their disaster management committee would meet in the coming hours to determine if the need exists to activate a local disaster control centre.

He said, “We have phone lines, we have staff manning it, we have to look at how we repair our roads, close our roads, how we might need to evacuate communities etc.”

The category four cyclone is expected to continue it’s southerly track and maintain it’s current speed of 4km p/hr for the next two days but may turn west towards the coast on Friday which would see it cross somewhere on the central Queensland coast.

Michael Palmer

Date: 17/03/2010