EX BRISBANE
Services are now allowed through to Mackay, so effectively DOT Express can service from Brisbane to Mackay and ports in between (along the east coast).  
Unfortunately, we still cannot yet access north of Mackay along the coast but services are now being redirected inland.  Please note that there will be delays in transit to these services.

EX TOWNSVILLE
Also be advised that the Bruce Highway south of Townsville is still closed to Ayr, Proserpine and Bowen. DOT Express is unable to provide services ex Townsville South. 
Please note that the localised flooding throughout the Central Queensland and Far North Queensland regions is affecting deliveries of consignments that did get through and also impacting the ability for some team members to get into work.
DOT Express will continue to work hard to communicate any disruption to services within the network to our customers. 

As a result of the inclement weather currently being experienced across Central and Northern Queensland - and the large number of road closures that have occured as a result - there are significant pressures currently to our Linehaul network, which is resulting in some delays. In particular, transit times for North of Mackay and ex Emerald to the wider Bowen Basin are being impacted.

Where possible - and as it is safe to do so - regional depots in Central and Northern Queensland will remain open. However, Regional Agents may be further impacted and temporarily close at their own discretion. DOT Express will continue to work hard to communicate any disruption to services within the network to our customers. 

DOT Express has not altered its independent road linehaul arrangement from Sydney to Perth since we changed our West Coast Linehaulier in late March this year.  Our delivery service leading into Christmas will be impacted by the shortage of road linehaul but we do not expect delays to be more than 1-2 days at the moment.

Deliveries into Perth today have been at the mercy of the severe weather conditions experienced in the last week with gale force winds, severe rain and flooding across South Australia, Mid-Southern New South Wales and Victoria.  Drivers are having to determine the safest and best means to travel across the continent to avoid weather conditions. 

Christmas is nearly upon us, so please be aware of our operating and closure dates in the forthcoming festive season.

DOT Express closure dates are the public holidays Monday 26th December, Tuesday 27th December & Monday 2nd January.

The last freight collection pre-Christmas to our regional onforwarders will be Thursday, 22nd December. Most of our regional onforwarders will have limited services operating during the Christmas to New Year period and up to the 20th of January. DOT Express will do its best to meet customers’ delivery expectations during this time.

If you need us to deliver to your regional customers, please plan ahead around these closure dates. Deliveries into most metropolitan areas in each capital city, our last pick-up date will be Friday 23rd December AM only, with a limited fleet operating between 28-30 December. Linehaul to Western Australia will continue each Tuesday and Friday with no change to departure dates.

The attached table summarises the services and dates so you can plan internally and with your customers.

On behalf of all of us at DOT Express, we thank you for your support and loyalty during 2022. Wishing you and your families a very Merry Christmas and a safe & prosperous New Year.

LATEST ADVICE:  
  

Although our regional depots are not currently affected by the last severe weather system to hit multiple locations across NSW, some DOT Express deliveries into the fringe/outer metroplitan areas of Sydney will experience delays to flood affected areas until the rain subsides, the road network is repaired and to ensure the safety of our drivers.

DOT Express will continue to attempt to deliver consignments to businesses in the fringe/outer metroplitan areas of Sydney as quickly as possible. However, as this another rapidly changing flooding event across a wide area, we will continue to work hard to communicate any disruption to services within the network to our customers. 

LATEST ADVICE:  
  

Although our regional depots are not currently affected by the last severe weather system to hit multiple locations across NSW, DOT Express deliveries into the fringe/outer metroplitan areas of Sydney will experience delays of a day or two, due to localised flooding currently at these locations.

The Hawkesbury-Nepean Valley is also being closely monitored, with major flooding expected later today.

More than 150 NSW schools have been closed after heavy rain and flooding prompted evacuations in Sydney’s south and southwest - with evacuation orders current in 11 suburbs, while residents in a number of other areas have been told to prepare for orders to leave - many of them in locations evacuated during the severe flooding events in March.

LATEST ADVICE:  
  

As a result of the inclement weather last night in northern NSW, all linehaul into Brisbane was held up around 1:30am near Ballina. As a consequence, all trailers have only just started moving to Brisbane and are due to arrive between 3-4pm this afternoon. They will be unloaded and freight prepped for distribution tomorrow morning.

Due to localised flooding and evacuation orders currently occurring in northern NSW, services to Lismore will be heavily impacted well into next week. Deliveries to other parts of Northern Rivers are proceeding, however it’s expected there will be localised flooding that will impact deliveries as the rain continues over the next 24 to 48 hours. 

LATEST ADVICE:  
  

Heavy to intense rainfall was recorded overnight through coastal south-east QLD and northern NSW. Flash flooding has occurred in suburbs of the Gold Coast and Moreton Bay in Queensland. Severe Weather Warnings are current for south-east QLD, and the Northern Rivers and parts of the Mid North Coast and Northern Tablelands in NSW. 

Currently, there are no delays to linehaul into Brisbane. There are also no stops into the Northern Rivers and Lismore, providing trailers can continue getting into regional depots. 

Where possible - and as it is safe to do so - regional depots across QLD and NSW will remain open. However, Regional Agents in NSW may be impacted and temporarily close at their own discretion due to forecasts of further severe weather this week. DOT Express will continue monitoring the current conditions overnight to see whether the situation changes and will communicate any disruption to services within the network to our customers as soon as practically possible.

LATEST ADVICE:  
  

The Bureau of Meteorology has advised that catchments across south-east Queensland are saturated and therefore creeks and streams will respond very quickly to heavy, short duration rainfall associated with any thunderstorm activity. Major flood warnings remain in place across inland areas in the south of the state including the lower Moonie, Condamine and Balonne Rivers. A fresh and gusty south-easterly wind change spread through south-east Queensland overnight bringing the potential for severe thunderstorms to move into Queensland Today.

Linehaul between Sydney and Brisbane remains open, however, there are still some delays due to freight backlog. DOT Express is also using our own staff via south east Queensland to service the Northern Rivers region to deliver essential supplies where we are able to get through.

Heavy rainfall has eased in New South Wales, however numerous flood warnings remain current across eastern New South Wales with flood peaks at locations still to occur. An east coast low is stting off the Illawarra coast with severe weather warnings in place for damaging winds, including Sydney and the Illawarra.

LATEST ADVICE:  
  

This afternoon, the Bureau of Meteorology has issued further updates that severe weather will continue across New South Wales with flood warnings remaining in place and that severe thunderstorms and heavy rainfall is again possible for Queensland this week.

As previously advised, the BNE depot is located on high ground and is safe from flood waters with all product on-site safe and secure. Queensland is now accessible, however, delays can still be expected due to not only the existing freight backlog, but also the persistent force of the current weather.

In NSW, Northern NSW (Lismore, Murwillumbah, Grafton, Coffs Harbour, Port Macquarie and the Central Coast) have been severely impacted, with clean up only recently commencing following the receding of flood waters. There are also impacts still being felt in the western suburbs of Sydney with several locations in both these regions still inaccessible by road due to local flood activity. 

LATEST ADVICE:  
  

Multiple major flood warnings remain in place across south-east Queensland and northern New South Wales. The rainfall is moving out of south-east QLD, however major flooding continues across many rivers and heavy rainfall is still impacting areas including the Gold Coast. There are still a significant number of road closures and damaged roads across the region.

The BNE depot is located on high ground and is safe from flood waters with all product on-site safe and secure. Deliveries were attempted this morning (Monday) but cancelled due to the state of local flooding and road closures. BNE deliveries have now been suspended until at least Wednesday (2 March) and you may experience delivery delays of between 3-5 business days.

LATEST ADVICE:  
  

Intense rainfall continues to impact south-east Queensland and north-east New South Wales in what is a dangerous and unfolding weather and flood situation. These extreme weather conditions will continue to result in linehaul delivery delays into Brisbane and Queensland for the foreseeable future.

There is a growing number of flood warnings current in Queensland, including a Major Flood Warning for Lockyer and Warrill Creeks, Bremer River, Eyre Creek, Logan River, Mary River, Mooloolah River, Noosa River, Maroochy River and the Upper Brisbane & Stanley Rivers.

LATEST ADVICE:  
  

Parts of north-east NSW and south-east Qld are experiencing a significant rain event with impacts likely to include flash and riverine flooding with potential risks to life and property. These weather conditions will likely result in linehaul delivery delays into Brisbane from today - Friday, 25 February 2022.

 
A surface trough (an elongated region of relatively low atmospheric pressure) lying just off the east coast is lifting tropical air from the Coral Sea, as the warm air pushes over the coast it’s causing an increase in humidity, intense rain and storms.

EASTERN SEABOARD-PER LINEHAUL:  
 

Further to previous correspondence, it was difficult getting any space SYD-PER last week. DOT Express was able to obtain a few spots to Perth but not enough to meet demand. Consequently, we are working on a number of alternatives with independent trailer operators to get to Western Australia. Service to our customers is key to our business and its growth.

The Australian Rail Track Corporation was able to open up the rail line between ADL-Tarcoola last Tuesday 15 February, 25 days after the floods impacted South Australia. Nine freight trains left for Darwin/Alice Springs and Perth early Tuesday morning. It was a huge repair effort by road and rail crews repairing a 300-kilometre stretch of track with 18 damaged locations.

EASTERN SEABOARD-PER LINEHAUL:  

As most are aware, the rail line to Perth was impacted by the severe weather experienced in South Australia on the 22/23 January weekend.  The key to the rail network to and from Western Australia is the junction at Tarcoola, this junction point affects both east/west and north bound rail traffic. 

The rail line between Adelaide and Tarcoola was cut during the floods and stopped all rail traffic to the West for the last 3 weeks. The Australian Rail Track Corporation continued to work hard to re-open the line as quickly as possible and resume services across the Nullarbor. 

It’s no surprise that there is a huge backlog of general freight moving from Eastern Australia to Western Australia via rail. ​​​​​​​

LATEST ADVICE (QUEENSLAND):  

A trough is forecast to continue generating showers and storms across parts of eastern Queensland during Friday and Saturday. Locally moderate to heavy rainfall remains likely with thunderstorms. The risk of heavy rainfall will gradually contract northwards into Saturday, with much drier conditions expected from Sunday.

The majority of catchments within the Flood Watch area are saturated, with some currently in flood. Rivers and creeks will respond relatively quickly, particularly in the areas of heaviest rainfall.
 

LATEST ADVICE (NEW SOUTH WALES):  

A low pressure system lies off the Illawarra coast bringing heavy rainfall and riverine flooding through SE NSW. River level rises are possible along the Queanbeyan and St Georges Basin and some adjacent catchments.

Flood Warnings are current for the Bega and Moruya catchments where further rainfall and river rises are possible. Flood warnings are also current for New South Wales North, Central and South West Inland catchments from the Border Rivers to the Murrumbidgee River.

LATEST ADVICE (QUEENSLAND):  

A trough is forecast to move slowly east across the state during Tuesday and the next few days, triggering showers and thunderstorms with locally moderate to heavy rainfall across the Flood Watch area. The risk of heavy rainfall will gradually move eastward during the week.

The majority of catchments within the Flood Watch area are saturated, with many currently in flood. Rivers and creeks will respond relatively quickly to further rainfall, particularly in the areas of heaviest rainfall.

LATEST ADVICE (NEW SOUTH WALES):  

Flood warnings are current for New South Wales North and Central West Inland catchments from the Namoi to the Murrumbidgee Rivers.

Renewed river level rises and flooding is possible from Wednesday across the Upper Macintyre, Gwydir, Castlereagh and Bellinger Rivers from rainfall associated with a deepening trough extending across inland New South Wales. Renewed river rises are also possible in the Lachlan, Namoi, Macquarie and Bogan Rivers where flood warnings are current.

EXCESS VOLUMES LEADING INTO CHRISTMAS 2021: 

The last few months leading into Christmas 2021 has seen quite a number of influences and influencers impacting road express delivery performance, some internal and some external. DOT Express’ near perfect on time delivery performance during the 18 months of the COVID-19 pandemic made us one of the Industry’s best kept secrets, delivering road express for some of our customers at near 99% on time in the last few months.

Whilst the 2021 November ‘Click Frenzy’ promotion seemed to be less manic than last year, overall e-commerce sales have been measured at more than 30% year on year for the fiscal period and only slightly less than prior year. We are yet to feel the impact ‘Black Friday’ will have on the transport industry later this month but the ‘cracks’ are already starting to show with some of the home delivery specialist carriers. Online promotions leading into Christmas could well hamper the traditional home delivery couriers as they focus on getting their deliveries completed on time for Santa. We are all aware of the poor publicity these carriers incurred last Christmas.

With the severe weather of recent days finally receding, there are still significant challenges to be faced with Linehaul traveling from Sydney to Brisbane due to localised flooding and other factors. Latest advice is as follows:

• Coffs Harbour/Grafton/Lismore linehaul back to normal.
• Port Macquarie linehaul is now back to normal however there are still some delivery delays in the area.
• Taree linehaul is now back to normal however there are still some delivery delays in the area.
• Tamworth is experiencing local flooding causing delays to delivery.
• Moree is experiencing flooding causing delays to delivery and this is expected to continue all week.
• Some on-forwarding areas from Grafton are still inaccessible to Iluka, Yamba, Harwood.

Freight traveling from Sydney to Brisbane on Tuesday, 23 March 2021 travelled on the Princes Highway with little or no instances and is out for delivery into Brisbane today (Wednesday, 24 March 2021).

Late yesterday, DOT Express was advised that there is now no access to Queensland from New South Wales via the New England Highway or Carnarvon Highway. There is flooding in Narrabri/Moree region and road surfaces are taking their toll having to be repaired during this time of continued inclement weather conditions.

Heavy vehicles have been advised to divert further inland to the Castlereagh Highway via Walgett and then travel north into Queensland. Adding extensive time delays, cost of vehicle operation and impacting on Driver fatigue, linehaul taking this route may not make it to Brisbane within HVNL and regulations.

Weather conditions in New South Wales (NSW) and Southeast Queensland (SEQ) will result in delivery delays from today - Monday, 22 March 2021.

Linehaul to Brisbane continues this evening. There will be delays into Brisbane overnight that are resultant of continued severe weather conditions plus increased traffic levels on the main thoroughfare (New England Highway) and the increased travel time on the New England Highway from Sydney to Brisbane compared to the Princes Highway.

Where possible - and as it is safe to do so - regional depots across NSW will remain open. Regional Agents may be impacted and temporarily close at their own discretion. Where possible, we will work with Agents to communicate disruption to services within the network.

All Australian airfreight linehauliers have been mandated to introduce stricter security measures by the Australian Government that applied from Wednesday, 1 July 2020. 

The new regulatory requirements relate to the examination of all piece-level domestic air cargo freight (satchels, cartons, etc). The need to increase the security surcharge is to enable our linehaulier to meet these new regulations and invest in new security equipment, staff training  and examination methods of all piece-level freight (satchels, cartons, etc).  

Directly related to these security check changes, DOT Express has been advised by our Agent that they have applied measures that meet the legislated requirements applied by the Australian Government and to keep our skies safe - but at a significant cost.