Qld premier slams ‘lowlife’ copper thief as communications cut while cyclone bears down

16 hours ago 3

A vandal has cut fibre cables in Far North Queensland in a suspected copper theft, impacting telecommunications in the region as it braces for an incoming cyclone.

Premier David Crisafulli slammed the theft at Deeragun, a suburb on the outskirts of Townsville, calling the person responsible a lowlife who has put citizens’ lives at risk in a time of need.

“We intend to make sure that we throw the book at this individual when they are caught. It’s a pretty low act at any time, but during a disaster, that’s about as low as you can get.”

Queensland Premier David Crisafulli (right) gives an update on the cyclone on Saturday.

Crisafulli appeared lost for words as he gave an update on the severe weather system on Saturday.

“Telecommunications are life and death, and to have them out of action because somebody will cut a line in a bid to try and steal something ...”

Telstra confirmed mobile and NBN services in Mount Low, Bluewater, Black River and Saunders Beach had been affected. Optus was also experiencing an outage at Mount Low, and an NBN Co spokesperson confirmed approximately 5000 customers had been impacted.

Technicians were working to restore the network.

“Copper theft is a significant international issue that affects all service companies, including Telstra,” said the telco’s regional general manager, Rachel Cliffe.

“The impact of copper theft on customers can be significant, and despite our best efforts to repair and restore services quickly, businesses, individuals and critical community services can be disconnected for hours or days.

“Repairs from copper theft also require us to divert work crews to restore services, delaying us from resolving other customer service issues.”

Police are working with the affected organisations to talk to locals within those areas.

The tropical cyclone is most likely to make landfall between Townsville and Ayr.

The theft comes as a tropical cyclone warning is in place from Innisfail down to Proserpine.

“Previously, where the warning stretched right from Cooktown, including Cairns, those areas are no longer in the tropical cyclone warning area,” the Bureau of Meteorology’s Matthew Collopy said on Saturday.

“The tropical cyclone warning is for the onset of winds in excess of 90 kilometres per hour within the next 24 hours. There remains a 50 to 60 per cent chance of this system developing into a category one tropical cyclone in the next 24 hours, particularly overnight tonight on Saturday and into the early hours of Sunday morning.

“The most likely location for the coastal crossing is between Townsville and Ayr, and as I mentioned, as a category one system. A severe weather warning also remains in place, and this is primarily for the locally intense and heavy rainfall.”

Intense rain is expected from Tully in the north down to Saint Lawrence. This rainfall is expected to lead to dangerous flooding, as the area is already saturated from recent rain.

“Rainfall totals in excess of 250 [millimetres] in 24 hours are forecast, with the possibility of multi-day totals in excess of 500 [millimetres],” Collopy said.

Crisafulli urged the community to use the remaining window before the system makes landfall to prepare.

“I have every faith in the ability of North Queenslanders to be able to handle events like this, as they so often do.”

Multiple roads are closed due to flooding, though the Bruce Highway remains open. Townsville Airport will close from 4pm on Saturday due to the weather.

The government’s disaster website has the most up-to-date information about closures.

Additional SES crews and an emergency chopper are positioned in the region, ready to respond if necessary. No rescues have been made at this stage.