Yeppoon cyclone shelter opens ahead of storm season

The new $5.3 million category five cyclone shelter at Yeppoon State High School was officially opened today. 

Deputy Premier and State Development, Infrastructure and Planning Minister Jeff Seeney and His Excellency Khalid Al Ghaith, Assistant Foreign Minister for Economic Affairs from the Government of the United Arab Emirates had the honour of opening the new facility.  

Mr Seeney said the shelter was the first of ten to be completed across Queensland as part of a $60 million cyclone shelter program jointly established by the Queensland Government and the Government of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. 

“I’m absolutely delighted to open the cyclone shelter at Yeppoon State High School in time for the upcoming cyclone season,” Mr Seeney said. 

“This will provide safe and secure shelter for up to 800 people in a cyclone with wide-reaching benefits to students during its normal day-to-day operations. 

“Most Queenslanders will never forget the destruction of the natural disasters of late 2010 and early 2011 and other events like Cyclone Larry.  It’s important we learn from that as we continue the reconstruction effort building safer and more resilient communities. 

“It was also a privilege to welcome the United Arab Emirates Assistant Foreign Minister for Economic Affairs, His Excellency Khalid Al Ghaith, to open the first cyclone shelter in the program. 

“The construction of the ten cyclone shelters in the program would not have been possible without the $30 million donation from the Government of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. 

“I would like to extend my sincere thanks to the Government of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi for this very generous contribution.” 

Mr Al Ghaith said that he was very pleased with the completion of the first cyclone shelter which will provide a safe refuge for communities at risk. 

“The United Arab Emirates and Australia are important bilateral partners and the opening of the Yeppoon Cyclone Shelter is a further example of the strength and depth of that relationship,” Mr Al Ghaith said. 

“These cyclone shelters will not only provide viable disaster relief infrastructure, but will also provide command, control and care to the remotest and most-at-risk communities in potential times of crisis. 

“This shelter will help safeguard people’s lives for years to come in the event of a cyclone and will be used as a multi-sports facility for year-round use by the local community. 

“We are very honoured to have contributed, in the spirit of friendship, towards this program that will potentially save many lives in the years to come in the event of a cyclone,” he said. 

Mr Seeney said the 1,500 square metre facility would ultimately make the Yeppoon community more resilient than ever before in the event of a cyclone. 

“This cyclone shelter is capable of withstanding winds of more than 300 kilometres per hour, as experienced in a Category 5 cyclone,” he said.

“Following a rigorous consultation period, this site was chosen by the assessment team as it was deemed to be outside of potential storm tide inundation and not at risk from flood, landslip or other significant hazards.” 

Queensland Reconstruction Authority Chairman Major-General Dick Wilson said the construction of the Yeppoon Cyclone Shelter had been a boost for the community in more ways than one. 

“Over the life of the project approximately 36 jobs were created with locals heavily involved in the construction,” Major-General Wilson said.  

“The ten new cyclone shelters are an essential element in making Queensland more resilient to future disaster events. 

“Not only do residents have a safe and secure shelter to protect them during a cyclone but it also doubles as a multi-purpose sports hall.” 

Mr Seeney said the Department of Housing and Public Works managed the delivery of the Yeppoon cyclone shelter with contractor Hutchinson Builders. 

The department is also managing the delivery of cyclone shelters in Bowen, Ingham, Port Douglas, Proserpine, Townsville, Tully and Weipa all of which are due for completion at various times during the following few months, weather permitting. 

A cyclone shelter in Mackay is being managed by the Department of Education, Training and Employment as part of the delivery of a new Eimeo State High School which is scheduled for completion toward the end of 2012. 

The Edmonton cyclone shelter is being designed and delivered by the Cairns Regional Council through a grant funding arrangement with the State Government and is due for completion during March 2013. 

[ENDS] 14  November 2012

Media contacts:         Deputy Premier’s Office: Kate Haddan (0418 373 516)

                              UAE Embassy: Sultan Alyammahi (0488 844 488)