Across Queensland and New South Wales, the traffic control industry doesn’t slow down when summer hits — it speeds up.
Between storm season, wet weather recovery, holiday traffic, and a final push by councils and contractors to finish works before Christmas, the December–March period is one of the busiest times of year.
At East Coast Traffic Control, we’re no strangers to pressure. And while the phones ring hot and timelines tighten, we’re proud to say we keep our standards high — no matter the season.
Here’s how we manage the busiest months on the calendar without cutting corners.
It starts with forward planning — not last-minute scrambling
The key to staying on top of the summer surge is simple: plan ahead.
From October onward, our operations team begins mapping out:
- Council and contractor project schedules
- Known holiday blackouts or shutdown periods
- Crew availability and fatigue management
- Likely weather delays and flood-prone areas
- Equipment rotation and maintenance windows
By anticipating where the pressure points will be, we can build a buffer into our resources and reduce the risk of being caught short.
We scale up early — not after it’s too late
When the rain hits or a sudden emergency job comes in, you don’t want to be stuck looking for last-minute traffic controllers.
That’s why we increase crew capacity before the pressure peaks. We keep a scalable workforce across all regions — particularly in high-demand areas like:
- Sunshine Coast
- Far North Queensland
- Mid North Coast NSW
- Wide Bay–Burnett
- Central QLD
By working with local crews and activating backup teams early, we ensure we’ve got boots on the ground and backup ready when it’s needed.
We work with the weather, not against it
Summer brings wet roads, short notice detours, and storm-related damage that needs immediate response. We don’t fight the weather — we plan for it.
Our crews are briefed daily with the latest BOM forecasts. Gear is packed with wet-weather PPE, portable lighting, and extra signage to deal with reduced visibility and slippery conditions. And when a job needs to be postponed, we’re on standby to reschedule and redeploy quickly — without letting other sites fall behind.
We protect holiday zones and high-traffic areas
Christmas and school holidays bring a different kind of challenge: people. Tourist towns, retail hubs, coastal highways and caravan routes all experience surges in traffic, footfall and community sensitivity.
We adjust our traffic management plans accordingly:
- Minimising lane closures during holiday periods
- Keeping pedestrian access open and clearly signed
- Working overnight where possible to reduce daytime disruption
- Using VMS boards with early warning and event-friendly messaging
- Responding quickly to complaints or access concerns from businesses
Good traffic control during holidays is about working smarter, not just harder.
Safety doesn’t take a break
In peak season, it’s easy for corners to get cut — but not on our watch.
We maintain our safety and compliance checks year-round, including:
- Pre-start and site inspections
- Daily briefings and toolbox talks
- Random gear and signage audits
- Fatigue management checks
- Supervisor reviews and support calls
Our clients don’t just want traffic control done quickly — they want it done right. And that’s what we deliver, summer included.
Reliable gear, ready to roll
Peak season is no time for breakdowns. That’s why our utes, arrow boards, VMS trailers and signage gear go through pre-summer checks at every depot.
We also rotate equipment between jobs to avoid overuse, and keep additional cone trucks, VMS trailers and support vehicles on standby for quick deployment.
Local teams make it possible
We’re proud of our regional teams. Without them, we couldn’t respond to flooding in Mackay one day and prep for school works in Byron Bay the next.
Because we operate across multiple depots — from Coffs to Cairns, Bundaberg to Ballina — we can shift resources as needed while still using local knowledge and keeping response times low.
The result? Jobs delivered safely, even under pressure
Peak season doesn’t mean lower standards. It just means smarter coordination, stronger systems, and the right people in the right places.
So whether it’s storm damage response, urgent civil works, or traffic control in a packed tourist town — we’re ready to deliver it safely, professionally, and without the holiday headache.
FAQs
Do you increase staff numbers over summer?
Yes — we bring on additional accredited TCs and TMIs across all regions to support the seasonal workload.
How do you handle weather disruptions?
We monitor forecasts daily and prepare our crews and schedules accordingly. If conditions change, we’re ready to adjust with minimal delay.
Can you provide emergency traffic control during floods or storms?
Absolutely. We’ve supported numerous reactive jobs during storm season, including road closures, powerline emergencies and flooding detours.
What areas do you cover during peak season?
We operate across Queensland and Northern NSW — from Brisbane to Cairns and inland to Inverell, Armidale and beyond.
Do you work during public holidays?
Yes — our team operates 24/7, including public holidays, depending on the needs of the job and the client.
