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Brendan O’Malley has been a journalist with The Courier-Mail and Quest Newspapers for 30 years, covering Council, state politics, the environment, science and the far north Qld bureau. He currently covers courts and local issues in Brisbane’s inner-west, southwest, inner south and inner north suburbs.

Brendan O'Malley

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QLD News7 minutes ago

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - NewsWire Photos - DECEMBER 17, 2020.A bus splashes water as it makes his down Roma st during a heavy downpour of rain in Brisbane. Torrential downpours continue to batter south eastern Queensland.Picture: NCA NewsWire / Dan Peled

‘No one should be out’: Disbelief as bus drivers back on job

Brisbane bus drivers braved wild conditions to deliver 700 services Sunday morning before being recalled to their depots just after 11am. PUBLIC TRANSPORT LATEST

LIVEQLD weather news

TWEED HEADS, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 06: Onlookers evade a crashing wave on March 06, 2025 in Tweed Heads, Australia. Tropical Cyclone Alfred is expected to make landfall in southeast Queensland and northern NSW as a Category 2 storm, marking the first time a cyclone has directly hit the region in over 50 years. The storm is forecast to bring damaging winds, heavy rainfall, and potential storm surges, prompting authorities to urge residents to prepare for significant impacts, including flooding and power outages. (Photo by Asanka Ratnayake/Getty Images)

Alfred performs second pirouette during slow, destructive path towards SEQ

Tracking data released late Thursday night has delayed the arrival of Tropical Cyclone Alfred once more, with the slow-brewing monster set to unleash torrential rainfall on the southeast this evening.

QLD News

L to R, Andy and Jenny Andrews, and Jenny Boyd, at Coles in The Gap shopping centre, were shopping to stock up because of the threat of cyclone Alfred, some shelves were empty at supermarkets due to the cyclone - on Monday 3rd March 2025 - Photo Steve Pohlner

Supermarkets close as Tropical Cyclone Alfred looms large

Some major supermarkets have begun to close and won’t reopen until at least Saturday – if it is safe – as Tropical Cyclone Alfred barrels towards South East Queensland. SEE WHAT’S OPEN

QLD News

(Clockwise from top left) The deserted Queen St Mall; a lonely swimmer at South Bank; King George Square was empty; a tourist walks past the sandbagged Mecca Mxima store in the Mall. Pictures: David Clark

Cyclone ghost town: Big blow empties iconic Brisbane landmarks

Brisbane’s most iconic landmarks including Queen St Mall and South Bank were empty this morning as TC Alfred kept people at home. SEE THE AMAZING PICTURES

QLD weather news

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 05: Volunteers help load sandbags into residents' cars at a Morningside sandbag depot on March 05, 2025 in Brisbane, Australia. Tropical Cyclone Alfred is expected to make landfall in southeast Queensland and northern NSW as a Category 2 storm, marking the first time a cyclone has directly hit the region in over 50 years. The storm is forecast to bring damaging winds, heavy rainfall, and potential storm surges, prompting authorities to urge residents to prepare for significant impacts, including flooding and power outages. (Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images)

‘Disgusting’ thieves steal sandbags and tarps from SEQ council depot

Callous thieves have stolen sandbags and tarps from council depots as temporary sandbag sites have reopened in Brisbane and Moreton Bay, following a slowdown of Tropical Cyclone Alfred. SEE LIST

QLD News

Delayed impact: Power cuts, major flooding expected as cyclone decelerates

Cyclone Alfred will cross the South East Queensland coast later than previously estimated, according to the latest weather bureau estimate.

QLD weather news

CAPALABA, AUSTRALIA - NewsWire Photos MARCH 5, 2025: Residents sandbagging ahead of the cyclone at Capalaba east of BrisbanePicture: NewsWire / John Gass

Council to close its sandbag stations tonight

Brisbane City Council will close its sandbag stations tonight after more than 400,000 were collected or filled from its five depots in the past week.

QLD weather news

When schools are expected to close amid Gateway Bridge, public transport shutdown

South East Queensland will come to a standstill from Wednesday night, with public transport halted and offices and schools set to close.

QLD News

Far North Coast Beekeepers Varroa Mite demonstration. Picture: Chris Shands

Deadly bee pest found for first time in Qld

Biosecurity officials have for the first time found evidence of the world’s most feared bee pest in Queensland, at a Lockyer Valley property.

QLD News

Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner provides an update on preparations for Tropical Cyclone Alfred. CityCats being lifted out of the water and into the yardTuesday March 4, 2025. Picture, John Gass

Lord Mayor defends sandbag prep, praises ‘Sandbag Army’

Brisbane’s Lord Mayor has praised a volunteer “Sandbag Army’’ of people who have stepped in to help those who can’t take up an offer to fill sandbags themselves amid unprecedented demand. FOLLOW COUNCIL LIVE

Original URL: https://www.couriermail.com.au/journalists/brendan-omalley