MSD - 26042022-QLD-E-C-P-FAR NORTH QLD_RUNL_EXT1

Delay due to severe weather events in parts of the North Tropical Coast & Tablelands, Northern Goldfields & Upper Flinders, Herbert & Lower Burdekin, and the Central Coast-Whitsundays Districts of Queensland.

As previously notified by Optus on Wednesday 4^th May 2022, parts of the North Tropical Coast & Tablelands, Northern Goldfields & Upper Flinders, Herbert & Lower Burdekin, and the Central Coast-Whitsundays Districts of Queensland were impacted by severe weather on or about Wednesday 20 April 2022 through to Tuesday 26 April 2022 and then again on Monday 25 April 2022 through to Tuesday 26 April 2022. This event resulted in extensive damage to the network. Due to the extent of damage to the network, the impact in the affected region has been greater than initially estimated, and as a consequence of the continued weather effects, the expected recovery date has now been extended to 26 June 2022.

The effect of these circumstances applies to an additional 30 services bringing the total number of services impacted to approximately 240 services. This number may increase as Optus assesses the full effect of the severe weather conditions. Based on current information, the resumption date of normal service operations is expected to be 26 June 2022. This date is indicative only; Optus customers should anticipate that some further delays may occur.

Optus services in three regions of Queensland are affected by these weather events where the first area includes part of the North Tropical Coast & Tablelands District encompassed by the following area. The area bounded by and including, but is not limited to, the area starting at Cowie Beach following the coastline south past Cape Tribulation and Port Douglas to Wangetti. From Wangetti the area heads southwest past Biboohra to Mount Abbot, northwest to Mount Mulligan then northeast past Dagmar back to Cowie Beach.

The second area affected includes parts of the Herbert & Lower Burdekin and the Northern Goldfields & Upper Flinders Districts. The area is bounded by and including, but not limited to, the area starting Halifax Bay Wetlands National Park and following the coastline south past Townsville to Cungulla then south to Dalrymple Lake. From Dalrymple Lake the area heads southeast to Mount Coolon, southwest to Lake Buchanan, south to Lake Galilee, then west Tablederry. The area heads northwest to Kynuna, northeast to Maxwelton, north to Croydon then southeast to Porcupine. From Porcupine the area turns northeast to Wairuna, southeast past Mount Fox to Paluma then northeast back to Halifax Bay Wetlands National Park.

The third area affected includes part of the Central Coast-Whitsundays District. The area is bounded by and including but is not limited to, the area starting at St Helens Beach following the coastline south past Mackay and Sarina to St Lawrence. From St Lawrence the area heads northwest to Blue Mountain, north to Brightly, northwest to Eungella Dam then northeast past Dalrymple Heights and Mount Charlton back to St Helens Beach.

All suburbs and towns, offshore islands, and coastal areas serviced by Optus within these boundaries are encompassed in this exemption.

How will this affect you?

Unfortunately, your service may be affected, and we may take longer than normal to fix telephone services or complete connections. Services in the area mentioned above with phone numbers in the following number ranges may have been affected:

0740283000 to 0740283999 | 0744200000 to 0744208999 | 0748190000 to 0748198999

0742055000 to 0742055999 | 0747404000 to 0747404999 | 0749140000 to 0749140999

0742210000 to 0742218999 | 0747565000 to 0747565999 | 0749770000 to 0749770999

0744019000 to 0744021999 | 0748180000 to 0748188999 | 0749999000 to 0749999999

We’re sorry for any inconvenience this delay may cause but we can assure you we are working hard to get things back on track.

What else do you need to know?

Information as to the nature of the severe weather events, which included heavy rainfall and flash flooding which occurred in the affected regions can be sourced from the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM). The BOM issued Severe Weather Warnings regarding these events commencing from on or about Wednesday 20 April 2022 through to Friday 22 April 2022 and then again on Monday 25 April 2022 through to Tuesday 26 April 2022. Additionally, these unusually severe weather events have been widely reported by most of the news media.

Due to this event, we’re claiming an exemption under section 21 of the Telecommunications (Customer Service Guarantee) Standard 2011, including an exemption from the payment of compensation between 26 April 2022 to 26 June 2022 inclusive for any delays in fixing or connecting services, and the keeping of appointments relating to these activities in the impacted area.

Need more information?

If you have any questions regarding your eligibility for a CSG payment under this notice, or wish to have us reconsider whether the circumstances were a proper basis for claiming an exemption, you can contact Optus on 13 39 37 quoting CSG exemption reference number 26042022-QLD-E-C-P-FAR NORTH QLD_RUNL_EXT1

You can also view a copy of this notice on our Internet site www.optus.com.au/msd

If, after calling Optus on the above number, you remain unsatisfied with our response to your query, you have the option of raising the matter with the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman (TIO).  Information on the TIO and contact details are available on the Internet (www.tio.com.au) and in the White Pages® telephone directory.