Severe Tropical Cyclone Debbie was the strongest tropical cyclone in the Australian region since Cyclone Quang in 2015, and was branded the most dangerous cyclone to impact Queensland since Cyclone Yasi in 2011. Forming as a tropical low on 23 March, the low gradually intensified to a named tropical cyclone on 26 March. After steadily strengthening offshore to a Category 4 system, Debbie eventually made landfall near Airlie Beach at around 12:40 AEST on 28 March 2017.
The Whitsuday Village is arguably the heart of Airlie Beach, home to Magnums, McDonalds, BWS and many more retail outlets and as a result of TC Debbie sustained damage to their roof.
With the repair commencing on 7th November, Building Supervisor Mike Hessell and his trades needed to contend with six solid rain interruptions, Airlie Beach Music Festival, excited schoolies, stifling humidity and the general the hustle and bustle of everyday life in downtown Airlie Beach.
Below are some pictures of this 10/10 repair and comments below from management on the complexity of the repair.
Good Morning all
I would like to personally extend my thanks to all that was involved with this project to make it run as seamlessly as it did from delivery suppliers to our internal employees keeping the site tidy.
A special thanks to the Roofing team it must be said that these boys gave it everything they physically had to pull this project in line with our projected schedule dates from the half a dozen rain delays we had.
The 10/10 sign off is a combined effort of everyone doing what was asked of them and I could not be any more pleased with the outcome.
Mike Hessell, Building Supervisor
Great job Mike!
Running the repair from the initial estimate through to the completion has been a huge effort!
Installing a 45 degree pitch roof is hard work at the best of times but in summer, humidity and rain this was a massive effort from the roofers. To keep them motivated and on schedule without pushing the boys too hard was awesome man management!
Really well done Mike!
Brock Johnson, Queensland Construction Manager
Myself and the Supervisors in the Airlie event centre have witnessed the massive effort Mike has put in to ensure this very high profile and high risk project has been run seamlessly without incident from start to finish including getting up at 4.30am every morning to be onsite everyday then coming back to the office at 5pm and often working until 8pm.
Truly inspiring mate , well done !!
Fraser Culpan, QLD Catastrophe Event Manager