No escape place for Dunk-Bedarra resort staff
Hideaway Resorts, operator of Dunk and Bedarra Resorts in tropical north Queensland, has defended its decision to keep resort staff on the island during cyclone Yasi last week.
In a statement to the Cairns Weekend Post, Hideaway Resorts said preparations were undertaken in line with standard cyclone procedures – “which do not include provision for mass evacuation of staffâ€.
“All remaining guests and staff scheduled to leave the island on Monday and Tuesday did so and at this time no staff had requested to leave,†the statement said.
“Early Wednesday the cyclone had increased to possible category 5. At this point, those remaining were committed to stay, with no safe option to leave the islands.â€
Online postings on the papers website appear to contradict the management’s statement that staff were given the option to leave.
Dunk and Bedarra islands felt the full force of the cyclone, which destroyed resort buildings and stripped lush gardens. Furious staff say they were forced to stay, the Weekend Post. reported.
One female staff member said, “We had a meeting and got told the last of the guests had been evacuated and the rest of us were staying put. Not once did anyone ask who wanted to go or tell us how we could leave.
“We were told there was no need to evacuate, that the island had been through this before and there was no need to panic.â€
Mia Lacy of Libra Communications in Cairns resigned as PR/media advisor for Hideaway Resorts/Dunk-Bedarra islands on Monday.
Ian Jarrett
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