Postal, parcel and express operators in Australia are gradually starting to get operations backto normal after this week’s dramatic heavy floods in Queensland.
Mail and parcel delivery has been seriously delayed in the north-eastern state this week,including in Brisbane, the third-largest city in the country, due to the floods but mail deliveryis slowly returning to normal, Australia Post announced today.
Mail delivery via road into Queensland has resumed although sea and air transport would also beused to manage the backlog of mail, the company said. Delivery of mail to businesses and householdsin flood-affected areas is slowly returning to normal. In cases where flood damage to propertiesprevents mail from being delivered, Australia Post is offering free mail direction.
Australia Post Managing Director and CEO, Ahmed Fahour, commented: “With a number of majorarterial roads now open, mail is now flowing in and out of Queensland, as well as from point topoint within Queensland, and our people are working around the clock to process the backlog of mailthat has been held at facilities.”
“As of today, we are able to deliver to 75% of addresses in the Brisbane metropolitan area, andwe expect that to improve over the coming week as people return to their homes and roads becomefully accessible,” he added.
To help process the backlog, Australia Post is also transporting letters via air, and parcelsvia sea to the northern regions. Due to limited freight capacity, however, essential supplies willhave a priority, so while people in other states are encouraged to send mail to Queensland, it isimportant that they are aware that mail may take a few days longer than normal, the companyadvised.
However, more than 50 post offices remain closed, along with one of two Australia Post nationalcustomer contact centres, based in Queensland’s capital Brisbane. This means that calls to thecustomer feedback line are experiencing significant delays.
“We are encouraging customers to visit www.auspost.com.au for updates, but we ask people to bepatient and understand that we are in recovery mode after a crisis situation,” Fahour added.Australia Post also announced that it has established an assistance fund for its staff and will bematching dollar-for-dollar donations.
TNT’s delivery services in Australia have also been disrupted by the floods. Especially inBrisbane, operations continue to be hampered by localised flooding. However, customers can expectsome pick-up and delivery services throughout the Brisbane metropolitan area, subject toaccessibility.
“TNT’s Priority and Sameday networks continue uninterrupted except for in Bundaberg, Toowoombaand surrounding areas where we have limited pick-up and delivery capabilities. Normal Priority andSameday operations will continue in Brisbane today, subject to accessibility as some areas stillremain difficult to service due to flood waters.” TNT Australia said in a statement today.
TNT’s road freight services in-bound to Queensland have also resumed from all destinations.However, the recovery process will take a number of days due to the high volume of inbound freightwhich is currently being held for Queensland locations, TNT added. The company is still taking roadfreight bookings but physical pick-up times are not guaranteed.
“As expected, TNT’s operations are resuming as quickly as conditions will allow. Contingencyplans are now being put in operation and we are utilising whatever resources we have to ensure aswift return to normal service levels,” the company concluded.
Express company Toll IPEC confirmed in its latest flood update that operations continue to beimpacted. The group has been asked to work inside the Queensland Government Emergency ManagementCentre providing logistics advice and assistance and receiving infrastructure updates.
“More of our employees have been able to get to work today however only 60% of our drivers havebeen able to make it due to flooding. This will affect our ability to quickly clear the largebacklog of freight we have for delivery but every attempt will be made to deliver to as many areasas possible today. Customers can expect some delays to deliveries in those areas that have a highvolume of freight to clear. We will also attempt to cover all pickups today,” Toll IPEC announcedtoday.
Road freight operator Star Track Express said its Brisbane depot remains closed today but acomprehensive recovery plan has been developed to ensure that the depot can clear the backlog offreight which accumulated during the floods and resume normal operations in the shortest possibletimeframe.
“The Star Track Express Brisbane depot will remain closed for road freight pick-ups anddeliveries today, in the interest of ensuring the safety of staff and their families,” the companyexplained. It is projected that the improving conditions will enable the depot to resume roadfreight pick-up and delivery services next Monday, 17 January 2011.
Linehaul services were resumed from Brisbane to Maryborough, Bundaberg and Gladstone last night.The conditions on the North Coast of New South Wales have also improved, resulting in the reopeningof major highways. Priority Air services remain available to Brisbane and regional Queensland,though some delivery delays will be unavoidable in the inaccessible parts of Brisbane and the floodaffected towns in regional Queensland.
Australian Air Express also announced services disruptions of regular pickup and delivery. “Wewill endeavour to provide a normal service where possible, however we apologise if this is notpossible on all occasions,” the air express operator said.
ParcelDirect Group, the DHL-New Zealand Post venture, also informed customers that several roadshave been cut off and towns are isolated due to the Queensland flooding. “We do expect thesedisruptions for the coming three to four weeks,” the company said.
“Contingency operations have been put in place with our providers to ensure delivery of yourconsignments within Queensland with minimal disruptions. Therefore, some alternative routes havebeen established to maintain services to the central and northern parts of the region. The majorityof the effected routes have been doubled in distance as the requirements are to drive around theflood-affected areas,” ParcelDirect explained.
