Pre-filled sandbags are available to residents and businesses as the Brisbane prepares for what could be a wet summer this year. The Rapid Relief Team is helping Council reach its target of filling 150,000 sandbags, with more than 10,000 already stored at its Lota depot.
In early November, Plymouth Brethren Christian Church’s charitable arm Rapid Relief Team filled nearly 14,000 sandbags using its Rapid Sandbagger. The sandbags are stored at the council depot in Lota and will be supplied free to residents who need them when the expected rains come.
This is the first time the initiative is being implemented so residents have been able to stock up on sandbags ahead of expected rain events. Back in the February deluge, 177,000 sandbags were distributed.
“What’s encouraging about this is that the Brisbane City Council are being proactive now in case of a future flood event in SE QLD and that way will take pressure off the likes of RRT and Council when an event unfolds,” said RRT director Lester Sharples.
“During the February Floods in 2022 we produced a lot more bags in a short timeframe.
“Last week we had approximately 75 volunteers in total supporting the sandbagging operation. Sandbagging has stopped currently as the Brisbane City Council now has over 150,000 back in storage ready to deploy at short notice.
“Efforts like this bring the community together, working with local Council being proactive is great for the community and should give some assurance that Brisbane is in a ‘Get Ready’ proactive initiative. These events are a great day out for our volunteers, it’s in our nature to get in and support the community in times where it’s needed – our volunteers are driven by Christian values of care and compassion.”
The sandbags have been delivered to the local Council/SES depots where they can be picked up in case a large rain event happens across Brisbane in the near future.
The pre-filled sandbags are available for residents and businesses 27/7 from September 2022 to March next year, and also when severe weather is predicted such as higher than normal high tides and heavy rainfall events.
Sandbags can be collected at the following locations:
- Darra – South Depot, 38 Shamrock Road
- Lota Depot, 58 Herbert Street, Lota
- Morningside – Balmoral Depot, 9 Redfern Street
- Newmarket – SES Depot, 66 Wilston Road
- Zillmere-North Depot, 33 Jennings Street.