Flooding strands students at adventure camp

Published Friday, 09 March, 2018 at 09:58 AM

Minister for Education and Minister for Industrial Relations
The Honourable Grace Grace

Education Minister Grace Grace has thanked police, emergency services, teachers and staff who are caring for 72 Year Six students stranded at an adventure camp site near Tully.

“I am advised that every effort is being made to comfort students who have been unable to leave the Echo Creek Adventure Camp because of flooding,” Minister Grace said.

“The camp is safe and the students, eight staff and a parent there have food and shelter. Police are currently working to resupply them with food and other necessities.”

Minister Grace said she had been assured by police that the party would be moved as soon as it was safe to do so.

“The latest information I have received is that floodwaters are expected to recede over the next 48 hours.

“The students attend Willows Primary School, Townsville, and their parents are being kept informed of developments by the education department.

“Parents can contact the school if they have any concerns and to check on the latest information,” the Minister said.

“I want to personally thank all those involved in ensuring that the students are safe.”

Emergency Services Minister Craig Crawford added his thanks to all those involved.

“The safety and well-being of the children is the top priority and the situation is being monitored constantly,” he said.

Minister Grace said heavy rain has caused severe disruption to schools in and around Ingham and in Tully and a total of 13 schools and the Paluma Environmental Education Centre are closed today.

“As there is currently a Flood Watch for parts of North and Far North Queensland I urge parents to check local weather conditions and road access and not attempt to drive children to school if conditions are dangerous,” she said.

“If it flooded, forget it.

“Parents should monitor the school closures website, which is constantly updated.”

http://closures.det.qld.gov.au/

Media contact: Adrian Taylor 0448 994 172

 

Note to news editors:

As at time of issue, the following centres will be closed for Friday 9th March 2018: 

  • Abergowrie SS
  • Forrest Beach SS
  • Halifax SS
  • Ingham SS
  • Ingham SHS
  • Macknade SS
  • Mount Fox SS
  • Paluma Environmental Education Centre
  • Toobanna SS
  • Trebonne SS
  • Victoria Plantation SS 

The three (3) state schools in the Tully area that were closed, Thursday 8th March, will also remain closed for Friday 9th March 2018: 

  • Kennedy SS
  • Lower Tully SS
  • Murray River Upper SS