Flood update - UQ Gatton

The University of Queensland Gatton campus is not operational today due to local flooding cutting access for students, staff and visitors.

However, the UQ St Lucia and Herston campuses in Brisbane and the Ipswich campus are operating as normal, as is the Rural Clinical School Teaching and Learning Centre at Toowoomba.

UQ Acting Executive Director of Operations Alan Egan said the Gatton campus was not flooded, although some leaks had been reported at some Gatton buildings.

However, access roads from Ipswich and Toowoomba, surrounding horticultural fields and the Gatton campus outer ring road were cut.

Mr Egan said the safety of students and staff was the University’s key priority.

Students expected to arrive in Gatton would be organised to stay in temporary accommodation at St Lucia, Brisbane until flood waters receded.

Four tenants were safely evacuated from horticultural fields and are now staying at the Gatton campus motel.

Last night a number of UQ Gatton campus tenants were asked to evacuate their homes and stayed in the administration building until they were cleared to move back to their homes late evening.

Animals from the Gatton campus, including from the Veterinary Science complex, have been safely moved to higher ground.

There were leaks in some buildings at UQ Ipswich. At the St Lucia campus, staff and students moved vehicles from low-lying areas as a precautionary measure.

Mr Egan said the University expressed its concern and sympathy to students or staff whose friends or family who were affected by devastating and extensive flooding in Queensland.

Deputy Head (Clinical Schools) of the School of Medicine Professor Geoff Cleghorn said he had been advised that none of the teaching facilities or student accommodation in Rockhampton or Bundaberg had been inundated.

However, some medical teaching sites in regional Queensland have been affected, particularly those at Theodore and Emerald.

The School is assessing the situation for students on regional medical rotations in 2011 and is contacting all its clinical teachers to build a list of those affected and to see how the School may be able to assist in the rebuilding process.

Any University of Queensland students needing support can contact Student Services on 3365 1704.

Free counselling is available to staff through UQ's Employee Assistance Program provider, Davidson Trahaire Corpsych (DTC) telephone 1300 360 364.

The Queensland Government has launched an appeal to help fellow Queenslanders affected by the recent floods. For details of how to donate, please visit: www.qld.gov.au/floods/donate.html