News and Updates

In December 2016, UQ commenced the first phase of transforming travel. Two new initiatives will be introduced this month to simplify travel at UQ, the introduction of a standardised travel allowance and a simplified booking process for domestic travel.

The new standard UQ travel allowance rates for domestic and international travel will come into effect from mid-August.

Typhoon Noru is tracking northwestward in the western Pacific Ocean. Though Noru has weakened from its peak strength, meteorologists predict the typhoon will begin to strengthen again between August 4 and 5 before weakening on approach to Kyushu Island. Noru is forecast to weaken further after tracking northeastward across Kyushu and northwestern Honshu, before entering the Sea of Japan (East Sea).

Network Rail is scheduled to undertake major improvement work at London Waterloo Station in the United Kingdom between August 5 to 28. The work will require the partial closure of the station, which is one of the busiest in London. Schedule alterations and reduced rail services will be in place on the Southern and South West Trains networks, with significantly fewer trains to run on both networks.

Entry delays at some EU airports in Schengen area being experienced due to tighter security checks and insufficient border control staff. Some anecdotal reports indicate travelers could experience waits of as long as four hours on arrival or departure. Travellers should arrive at airports well ahead of time.

The Australian Government has introduced additional aviation security measures at international and domestic terminals at Australia's major airports. The move follows the discovery of an alleged terror plot involving a plane on a domestic service, over the weekend.

The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) along with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) have announced that in the coming weeks travellers to the US will experience increased security measures.

Two storm systems are forecast to bring heavy rainfall, snow, strong winds, and rough waters to New Zealand through July 22. A low-pressure system is predicted to move eastward across central New Zealand July 21-22, intensifying weather across South Island, especially eastern districts. Heavy rainfall is likely to affect much of the island; however, the heaviest downpours are forecast to occur in Canterbury and eastern Otago, including Dunedin. Strong winds and heavy snowfall could cause blizzard conditions, especially in mountainous areas of South Island. Authorities could close mountain passes in Otago, Marlborough, and Canterbury districts.

Damage has been reported in and around Bodrum, Turkey, and Kos, Greece, after a magnitude-6.7 earthquake occurred in Gulf of Gokova in the southeastern Aegean Sea on 21 July. As of early July 21, a tsunami advisory remained in effect for Aegean coastal areas close to the epicenter; the tsunami event could last for several hours, although peak wave heights probably occurred in Bodrum, Kos, and nearby areas shortly after the quake struck.