Bundaberg is out of the direct warning zone of Tropical Cyclone Alfred, but the effects will still be felt.
There have been reports of people panic buying at supermarkets.
Locals are being asked to only take what they need with interruptions to the supply chain expected once the cyclone makes landfall in the South East later this week.
An unprecedented emergency planning declaration to support food, medicines and essential supplies getting into stores and onto shelves has been signed off by the Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning Jarrod Bleijie.
Shops, warehouses and transport depots in 21 local government areas spanning from Gladstone, Goondiwindi and the Gold Coast will be permitted to temporarily operate around the clock, as Queenslanders continue to prepare for Cyclone Alfred.
The 21 Local Government Areas (LGA) included are:
Brisbane City Council
Bundaberg Regional Council
Cherbourg Aboriginal Shire Council
Fraser Coast Regional Council
Gold Coast City Council
Goondiwindi Regional Council
Gladstone Regional Council
Gympie Regional Council
Ipswich City Council
Lockyer Valley Regional Council
Logan City Council
Moreton Bay City Council
Noosa Shire Council
North Burnett Regional Council
Redland City Council
Scenic Rim Regional Council
Somerset Regional Council
South Burnett Regional Council
Southern Downs Regional Council
Sunshine Coast Council
Toowoomba Regional Council
Deputy Premier Bleijie said this declaration was necessary to ensure essential businesses can restock supplies 24-hours a day.
“I’ve briefed the Queensland Disaster Management Committee of this emergency planning declaration, which will begin at 12:01am, Wednesday 5 March,” Mr Bleijie said.
“This is a rare event and it’s the first time an emergency declaration has been announced before a natural disaster has hit Queensland.
“The emergency declaration will enable these businesses to restock 24/7.
“This includes shops, health care services, chemists, warehouses, transport depots and hardware supply businesses.
“Our primary goal is to supercharge the food and essential supply chains that are set to be affected by Cyclone Alfred.
“By temporarily lifting these restrictions, it will enable supermarkets to have more supply hit the shelves faster and empower supermarkets to continue to do all they can to meet the demand.
“I have written to the Mayors advising of these changes as we work with the councils to ensure Queenslanders are prepared and remain aware of the latest warnings and information.”
