Just a bit of updated info. From my understanding- and this gleaned from a bunch of different sources including the news- the airport was on a 5nm for most of the day from 1000 onwards. Now THAT is unusual in terms of having T/S with lightening around for that length of time and it certainly wouldn't take long for a back log of 15-20 aircraft just for the Qantas terminal. Once they say 'go', to turn all those aeroplanes around is going to take a bloody long time with only 5-7 gates available. Depending on the aircraft types would depend on the gates available, etc.
Just 'one of those days' I guess. Glad I wasn't out in it.