MORE than a dozen evacuees will be moved to long-term alternative accommodation as a collapsed excavation site southeast of Brisbane threatens their homes.
The eight Department of Housing units in Middle St, Cleveland, came under threat yesterday afternoon, prompting the evacuation of 15 people, a cat and a bird.
Queensland Fire and Emergency Services assisted with the evacuation but left the scene this morning.
A spokesman for Housing Minister Mick de Brenni said the residents would be moved to long-term alternative accommodation in the area while the builder worked to secure the site.
A retaining wall at the construction site collapsed about 2pm yesterday, dragging down a nearby carport with it.
The retaining wall was part of a multi-storey development construction site.
The western wall was estimated to be up to 80m long and 10m deep.
Authorities, led by Queensland Fire and Emergency Services, rushed to the scene where a carport had already partially collapsed, indicating nearby units were at risk.
QFES incident controller Daryl Rush said 16 people were evacuated.
“Six units immediately adjacent to the area have been evacuated, and the Housing Commission has found alternative accommodation for those affected,” he said.
“It is quite a substantial excavation… there are a number of hazard sources to identify and mitigate, including gas, power and water.”
Mr Rush confirmed cracks had formed where the wall was pulling on the earth, including on a footpath and where the carport has partially collapsed.
