Ongoing flooding in Brisbane has been embroiled the region in chaos and the underground construction industries have not been exempt from this.

Leighton Holdings announced that it has implemented temporary project shutdowns and leave provisions for employees, the latter being primarily for family and community assurance – thankfully no injuries to personnel have been reported.

Mining operations have been affected by flooding since late December although some operations have now recommenced while others are engaged in dewatering procedures.

Speaking on 12 January, CEO of Leighton Holdings David Stewart said that operations have been totally halted at the company’s largest infrastructure project, the AUD 4.1bn (USD 4.08bn) Brisbane Airport Link.

“Staff are currently undertaking activities to protect project works and plant and equipment, however we expect that a number of offices and some sections of the project will suffer inundation over the next 24 hours,” he said.

Project teams have been working to remove significant equipment as a precautionary measure.