Rain still to come: keep sandbags in place

Saturday 8 March at 4.45pm

Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred remains off the coast near Bribie Island and continues to move slowly. A forecast change in wind direction and strength is expected and could lead to potentially damaging wind gusts and heavy rain later tonight and into tomorrow.

Sunshine Coast Local Disaster Management Group Chair Mayor Rosanna Natoli said residents and businesses should keep their sandbags in place until this threat has passed.

“In preparation for Tropical Cyclone Alfred, the Sunshine Coast community made use of 190,000 sandbags across the Sunshine Coast region,” Mayor Natoli said.

“Council is requesting that with rain still to come, residents and businesses keep sandbags in place until this threat has passed.

“When the time comes to dispose of sandbags, please use the sand in your gardens, or to top dress your lawn. Place the bag in your general waste bin or keep it handy for future use. The bags may last up to 12 months.”

Waste services

Mayor Natoli said at this stage residential bin collection services were expected to resume Monday 10 March.

“When residential services do recommence as per their normal schedule, please understand Council rubbish truck drivers can only collect the bins and will not be exiting their vehicles to collect extra items,” Mayor Natoli said.

“Due to continuing rainfall and safety issues around access, all of Council’s Resource Recovery Centres remain closed. We will re-assess the situation tomorrow and decide if it is safe to open sites on Monday 10 March.”

When centres do re-open, Sunshine Coast Council’s rubbish tips will be free for your storm-damaged household general waste and green waste disposal until COB Sunday 16 March for properties directly impacted by Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred.

Coastal erosion

It is critical that the Sunshine Coast community stay off the dunes and seawalls for their safety.

“Erosion from the large swells is very evident along our coastline,” Mayor Natoli said.

“Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred has created cliff drops up to three metres along some dunes including Kawana and Mudjimba.

“Now is not the time to head to the beach for a look, especially with young children. These dunes may look stable, but can collapse suddenly, putting people at serious risk.”

Thank you

“Thank you to everyone who has been working tirelessly over the past five days and to the residents of the Sunshine Coast, for your willingness to prepare your homes - the way you have helped each other makes me proud.” Mayor Natoli said.

Keep up to date by visiting Disaster Hub Sunshine Coast.