MEDIA STATEMENT: South East Queensland State schools reopened after ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred 

South East Queensland State schools reopened after ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred 

• All 661 South East Queensland State schools open again following ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred.
• School impacts included power outages, water damage, fallen trees, roof destruction, ceiling collapses, mould issues, as well as flooding.
• Empowering local principals, in conjunction with QBuild staff, to decide when it is safe to reopen schools has led to this incredible result. 

The Crisafulli Government has marked a milestone achievement, with all State schools closed due to ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred reopening on Monday. 

The final school was Helensvale State High School, which received approval to reopen on Sunday. 

In total, 661 State, 183 Catholic, 205 Independent schools closed across 10 Local Government Areas in South East Queensland during this extreme weather event. 

Schools were impacted by power outages and damage including water inundation in classrooms, fallen trees, roofs ripped off buildings, ceiling collapses, mould issues, as well as flooding on campus or on surrounding roads. 

Premier David Crisafulli joined Minister for Education John-Paul Langbroek and local MP Mark Boothman at Helensvale State High School to commemorate the landmark. 

“The reopening of all State schools is a critical step in our recovery after ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred,” Premier Crisafulli said.   

“It means students can learn and parents can return to work as normal, including our health workers, emergency services personnel and supermarket staff. 

“We empowered and resourced local principals, who know their communities best, to decide when it was safe to reopen their schools, leading to this incredible result. 

“School reopenings demonstrate our commitment to no daylight between response and recovery.” 

Minister for Education John-Paul Langbroek praised the cooperation between QBuild and local principals to make key decisions in the best interests of their communities. 

“The fact that all schools are back up and running demonstrates the tenacity and dedication of the Queensland State school system,” Minister Langbroek said. 

“At the peak of this event, which broke State records for all the wrong reasons, we had 1049 schools – across the public and non-public sectors – along with more than 2000 Early Childhood Learning Centres closed. 

“Today signifies a mammoth achievement made possible by the tireless efforts of Department staff, local principals, school staff, QBuild assessors and contractors, specialist cleaners and hygienists, as well as arborists.” 

ENDS 

MEDIA CONTACT: Cam Inglis 0412 084 743