Palaszczuk may cut Lausanne trip short over bushfire crisis

Annastacia Palaszczuk and Sunshine Coast politicians may cut short European trip with IOC over bushfire crisis.

Annastacia Palaszczuk with Sunshine Coast MPs arrives in Geneva. Picture: Jacqueline Magnay.

Queensland premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and politicians from the Sunshine Coast area may cut short a European trip after today’s series of meetings with the International Olympic Committee because of the escalating bushfire crisis that has hit coastal communities just south of Noosa.

Ms Palaszczuk is travelling with the Federal member for Fairfax Ted O’Brien and the Sunshine Coast mayor Mark Jamieson to present updates to Olympic officials about their potential bid for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games and to hear advice from the IOC how to make any bid a compelling one.

But as soon as the meetings are concluded in Lausanne around midnight on Tuesday Queensland time, the trio will decide whether to get on a plane back home or to continue their scheduled trade pitches in Paris.

Earlier on Tuesday, just as the Team Australia delegation was being shown around the Olympic Museum in Lausanne, staffers were getting updates from Queensland Fire and Emergency and the Queensland police that they were advising residents of Peregian Beach and Marcus Beach to leave immediately because of a fast moving bush fire approaching the area

The police tweeted: ”Conditions are now very dangerous and firefighters may soon be unable to prevent the fire advancing.’’

Ms Palaszczuk said: “I know our emergency services personnel are doing everything possible tonight as a fire is having a huge impact on the Sunshine Coast. at first light tomorrow they will reassess matters but there are extra fire crews there and emergency services personnel doing everything they possibly can.’’

She added: “I think the winds will change in the morning and with the extra crews and firebombing capability as well … they will reassess on the ground at first light. Everyone I am in contact with are obeying emergency services when asked to evacuate. And we need to get to the source of how these fires started in the first place.’’

Mr O’Brien said the crisis was a result of “a failure of the rain that we normally have’’.

He said it was heartbreaking hearing the stories and the messages such as one evacuation centre being full, but stressed other centres were opening further in Noosa and along the Sunshine Coast.

He said: ’”You know people are struggling and it is going to be a long night for so many families, please God it is safe for everyone. And thank God we have got emergency services the fire services and the volunteers. I hope residents heed their advice because that is the best way to keep safe.’’