Flood risk shuts Port of Brisbane

Brisbane (Energy Publishing) - 11, Jan.2011

In yet another blow to the coal industry, the Port of Brisbane was shut today as the city began to prepare for the possibility of flooding in the CBD.
With Brisbane’s Wivenhoe Dam overflowing and an imminent King Tide expected, a massive flow of water is surging down the Brisbane River, currently flowing out at more than 3 knots at the port. This has made it dangerous for ships to load and all ships were ordered out to sea.
Brisbane port coal terminal services south-east Queensland mines, predominantly the thermal mines of New Hope (see earlier story today) which also owns the terminal. Roughly 10Mtpa is exported from the port.

Meanwhile, businesses in the centre of town began sending employees home around mid-morning.