Cyclone Alfred: Brisbane comes to a standstill with schools closed, buses and trains cancelled​on March 5, 2025 at 12:51 am

Brisbane will grind to a standstill on Wednesday evening, with schools closed, public transport cancelled and residents urged to stay home for at least two days.

Here’s what you need to know.

Schools and childcare

• More than 600 state schools will be closed on Thursday and Friday across south-east Queensland, in addition to Catholic and independent schools.
• Daycare services will continue to receive the childcare subsidy, but fees can be waived for families when centres close, and children will be allowed unlimited absences during the emergency.

Public transport

• Buses, including school buses, will be cancelled in Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Ipswich, Kilcoy, the Lockyer Valley, Logan, Moreton Bay, Noosa, Redlands, Sunshine Coast and Toowoomba from Thursday “until further notice”.
• Brisbane River ferries and Southern Moreton Bay Island ferries will not run from Thursday.
• Queensland Rail trains in south-east Queensland will continue running until last service tonight.
• Trams will not run on the Gold Coast after tonight’s last service.

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Roads

• All major roads and bridges, including the Sir Leo Hielscher Bridges, will be closed when winds reach 90km/h.
• Roads and bridges are expected to be affected by flooding and high winds.
• The Story Bridge footpaths will be closed from 5.30pm on Wednesday until further notice.
• Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner has urged people to stay inside their homes on Thursday and Friday and not drive during the cyclone.

Maritime