Walkway lift put on hold

AMONG the early casualties caused by Tropical Cyclone Ului is the much anticipated lifting of Rockhampton’s $8 million Yaamba Road overpass.

The Department of Main Roads announced yesterday it was calling off the delicate operation to lift the 48 metre walkway into place.

A team of workers was to have closed the Bruce Highway this afternoon to move the structure to the site and lift and lock it into position over eight hours.

But the high winds anticipated today gave the team no choice but to postpone the work to March 28.

Queensland Health had planned to vaccinate hundreds of pupils at North Rockhampton High School today, but decided yesterday it was too risky given the uncertainties over the severe weather conditions in the region.

The human swine flu clinic will be rescheduled to a later date.

And Rockhampton Regional Council decided to play it safe and call off Sunday’s Harmony Day barbecue in the interests of health and safety.

This event will now be held on Sunday, May 30, in conjunction with the Multicultural Festival.

But despite the predictions of gale force winds and heavy rain throughout the region, sporting organisations decided not to scrap their programs.

Cricket, rugby union, rugby league and soccer fixtures will go ahead as scheduled unless officials decide conditions are unsuitable.