TC Alfred Update
Published on 03 March 2025
Update as at 3pm, Monday 10 March
Disposal of used sandbags
Sandbag drop-off point, located across the road from 13 Station Street Pomona.
Over the past week, Council and SES teams have helped distribute around 500 tonnes of sand to help the local community weather the threat of flooding.
Residents are welcome to keep the used sandbags for future use, but be sure to keep them out of direct sunlight as the bags will degrade quickly.
Alternatively, the sand can be put to use for top dressing lawns. Simply open the bags and spread the sand over the lawn in a thin layer (max 10mm) and dispose of the bags responsibly.
Please do not dump the sand on the beaches as this sand contains clay, which can stain and muddy the dunes.
Businesses are asked to empty sandbags into skips where possible.
Alternatively, Council is happy to take the full sandbags back. From 6am Tuesday 11 March, simply drop them off at the water tanker refilling locations at 183 Eumundi Noosa Road (next to the Council Depot) and across the road from 13 Station Street Pomona (opposite the School Street intersection). Place entire sandbags on the pallets provided. They can be dropped off 24/7. Council will repurpose the sand for use in local parks and gardens.
Update as at 12.30pm, Sunday 9 March.
Following ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred, regular kerbside bin collection resumes as normal from Monday 10 March.
Please ensure your bins are out ready for collection.
For those bins missed on Thursday 6 March and Friday 7 March, trucks will begin collecting these from Monday 10 March.
Mayor Frank Wilkie asked residents to be patient as it will take several days to visit the areas missed last week.
“We are encouraging residents in those missed areas to place all their bins on the kerb before 6am Monday and keep them there until they are emptied,” he said.
Cleanaway has sourced additional drivers and trucks, but it will take time to service those areas missed last week.
The plan is to empty these prior to their normal scheduled service.
With waste collections resuming across the shire, bins will be collected on your normal bin schedule.
Cr Wilkie said there are over 40,000 missed residential bins that need to be collected, so patience is vital.
“It will take several days to collect the bins.
“In fact, if you don’t need to have your bin emptied, please don’t put it out until your scheduled service,” Cr Wilkie said.
Note: Thursday and Friday scheduled services will also happen.
Given the slow-moving nature of ex Tropical Cyclone Alfred, it’s caused significant logistical issues for our waste contractor, and we continue to work closely with them to ensure services are maintained.
Cleanaway has continued to service many commercial and business operations in Noosa when it's been safe to do so.
"Our shire has been fortunate so far and our thoughts are with friends and colleagues to the south who continue the clean up from this weather system," Cr Wilkie said.
Sandbag information:
More severe weather could be possible Sunday so residents are asked to keep their sandbags in place until this weather system has passed.
Sand should never be emptied onto beaches, it's the wrong type of sand for our eco-system.
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 (bags may last up to 12 months).
Stay updated on the unpredictable system and warnings via the Bureau of Meteorology and Council’s Disaster Dashboard.
Update as at 1pm, Saturday 8 March.
While we’ve fortunately dodged the significant impacts of ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred, it’s important to stay vigilant as heavy rain and some flash flooding are still possible in coming days.
To stay informed on the tropical low’s movements, visit the Bureau of Meteorology and Council’s Disaster Dashboard.
Council is resuming essential services.
Eumundi Road Resource Recovery Centre will reopen Sunday 9 March from 9:30 am. Slightly later than scheduled.
Cooroy and Pomona Transfer stations are operating on Sunday 9 March from 8am -1pm.
The Noosaville Library, Noosa Leisure Centre and Noosa Aquatic Centre will reopen Sunday 9 March. Please note that regular NAC programs will not return until Monday 10 March.
The evacuation refuge centre has closed at the Noosa Leisure Centre.
Residential Waste collection:
We’re looking to resume services, including bin collection services, from Monday.
This means that your bin will be collected at your next scheduled collection date. If you need to, you can store your recyclables until next week’s collection. We will provide further updates.
Beaches remain closed
There is a coastal hazard warning in place, and beaches remain closed.
A change in wind direction round to the north/northeast is likely to change swell direction and wave height at Main Beach on Saturday or Sunday, as well as Noosa’s open beaches
Waves impacting dunes on Eastern Beaches
Stay off dunes as much as possible. The strong winds and waves have had a significant impact on beaches and beach access points. Please stay clear while our officers monitor and assess beach access points and viewing platforms for damage and your safety.
Noosa North Shore Ferry has reopened. It is important to note that the beach at Noosa North Shore is not trafficable. For more info about the ferry operating times, visit the website.
Keep your sandbags for now
Leave sandbags in place or store them over the weekend until all warnings and threat of rainfall has ceased. We will come back to you with further advice on the best way to dispose of them responsibly.
If you come across fallen trees or potential tree hazards, send the info to Council via Snap Send Solve. The app is free and available from the Apple Store or Google's Play Store.
Council’s Customer Service Call Centre continues to operate and is taking calls on 07 5329 6500.
Injured wildlife
If you find a sick, injured, or orphaned native animal, do not attempt to handle it yourself. Contact one of the following wildlife rescue organisations for assistance and advice:
WILVOS – wilvos.org.au | 07 5441 6200
Wildlife Noosa – wildlifenoosa.com.au | 0419 046 999
Wildcare Australia – wildcare.org.au | 07 5527 2444
Update as at 9.15am, Saturday 8 March.
With ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred now a tropical low, it is expected to move towards and cross the mainland coast between Maroochydore and Bribie Island this morning.
Heavy rainfall and coastal surf impacts are expected throughout the day.
The current forecast doesn’t raise significant flooding concerns, there is potential for localised flooding. Remember If it’s flooded forget it.
WAVES IMPACTING DUNES ON EASTERN BEACHES
Erosion from TC Alfred has weakened dunes, creating steep drop-offs. These dunes may look stable but can collapse suddenly, putting people at risk. Council officers will be monitoring beach access points and viewing platforms for safety.
A change in wind direction round to the north / northeast is likely to change swell direction and wave height at Main Beach on Saturday or Sunday. These changing conditions at Main Beach, Laguna Bay regarding swell and currents may catch users off guard, Please adhere to the beach closures and do not go swimming due to the dangerous conditions.
NOOSA NORTH SHORE FERRY REOPENS
The Noosa Ferry Service to Noosa North Shore will reopen today, Saturday 8th, operating from 10:00AM to 14:00PM to allow North Shore residents and emergency services workers to resupply.
Please note Noosa North Shore beaches are NOT TRAFFICABLE. Weather permitting, the ferry will recommence full service tomorrow, Sunday 9 March from 5:30AM.
Council’s Customer Service Call Centre continues to operate and is taking calls on 07 5329 6500.
There will be further updates later today, regarding the opening of the Noosaville Resource Recovery Centre and the operation of the Refuge centre at Noosa Leisure Centre.
Update as at 1.30pm, Friday 7 March
TC Alfred continues to slowly track towards the southeast Queensland coast and is forecast to remain a category 2 tropical cyclone until it begins to interact with the coast or islands.
At this stage, the system is expected to cross the coast around 12pm, Saturday 8 March most likely between Noosa and Coolangatta.
Residents are advised to finalise any last minute preparations around their homes, stay off the roads and stay up to date via the Bureau of Meteorology and Council’s Disaster Dashboard.
HEAVY RAINFALL & DAMAGING WINDS
Gales with damaging wind gusts to 120 kilometres per hour may be expected as early as late Friday night into Saturday morning as TC Alfred approaches the coast. Wind speed is dependent upon the exact crossing location.
Heavy rainfall is forecast across Noosa including the hinterland, following the likely crossing of TC Alfred onto landfall. Rainfall totals of 100mm-200mm are possible across Saturday and Sunday.
While this forecast rainfall does not raise significant flooding concerns, it does pose the potential for localised flooding. Council will be closely monitoring known flash flooding sites throughout the shire including Lake Entrance Boulevard, Noosaville, Golf Course Drive (Daintree), Tewantin, Rifle Street, Pomona and Kin Kin Creek.
Stay tuned for updates and remember, don’t drive through floodwaters - if it’s flooded, forget it!
WAVES IMPACTING DUNES ON EASTERN BEACHES
It's important to stay off all coastal dunes, seawalls and cliff faces. With gales and damaging wind gusts set to intensify along southeast Queensland during Friday and Saturday, shifting sands and loose rocks pose a serious risk of collapse.
Erosion from TC Alfred has weakened dunes, creating steep drop-offs. These dunes may look stable but can collapse suddenly, putting people at risk.
A change in wind direction round to the north / northeast is likely to change swell direction and wave height at Main Beach on Saturday or Sunday, as well and Noosa’s open beaches. These changing conditions at Main Beach, Laguna Bay in regard to swell and currents may catch users off guard and it is very important for people adhere to the beach closures and do not go swimming due to the dangerous conditions.
CONTACTING COUNCIL
Council’s Customer Service Call Centre continues to operate and is taking calls on 07 5329 6500.
PLACE OF REFUGE REMAINS OPEN
There are currently nine people at the Noosa Leisure Centre. It will remain open 24 hours a day as a place of refuge for residents and visitors who have no other place to go during Tropical Cyclone Alfred. Pets are welcome but leads or cages are required to keep them contained.
The Noosa Leisure Centre is at 9 Wallace Drive Noosaville and will operate 24/7 until no longer required.
SAND BAGGING
More than 500 tonnes of sand has been delivered over the past week and stocks are still available at the following sand bagging locations:
- Tewantin - Noosa District Sports Complex & SES Shed (Goodwin St)
- Noosaville – boat ramp, Gympie Terrace
Update as at 2:15pm, Thursday 6 March
Tropical Cyclone Alfred is slowly moving towards the southeast Queensland coast.
Alfred is currently category 2 and is expected to remain of similar intensity until the centre starts to interact with the coast and Islands. The centre of Alfred is expected to cross the coast very early Saturday morning, most likely between Noosa and Coolangatta.
Residents are advised to continue preparations and stay up to date via Council’s Disaster Dashboard.
HIGH WINDS
Winds are anticipated to increase associated with Cyclone Alfred crossing the cost on Friday evening or Saturday morning.
RAINFALL
Heavy rainfall up to 100mm is forecast across Noosa, including the hinterland, for Saturday, following the likely crossing of Cyclone Alfred onto landfall. While this forecast rainfall does not raise significant flooding concerns, it does pose the potential for localised flooding. Council will be closely monitoring known flash flooding sites throughout the shire including Lake Entrance Boulevard, Noosaville, Golf Course Drive (Daintree), Tewantin, Rifle Street Pomona and Kin Kin Creek.
Stay tuned for updates. Remember, don’t drive through floodwaters - if it’s flooded, forget it!
SANDBAGS STILL AVAILABLE
There is still time to get sandbags if you need them for your property, until 5pm today. Go to Council's Disaster Dashboard for locations of sandbag stations. Please note, you'll need to bring your own shovel.
STORMTIDE INUNDATION
Storm surge caused by Tropical Cyclone Alfred may cause some inundation of low-lying areas of Noosaville, Tewantin, Noosa North Shore and Boreen Point - areas that often experience inundation during lower-level river floods. This is expected to occur on the high tide at 2am on Friday morning. The level of possible inundation has been reduced by state agencies from yesterday and is expected to be shallow, if at all, and covering roadways and yards.
Areas that could be inundated include:
- Frying Pan Track, Homeport Track / Noosa River Drive, Wygani Drive, Noosa North Shore
- Hilton Terrace, Hilton Esplanade, Lewis Street and Mill Street, Tewantin
- Cloudsley Street Laburnum Crescent, Janet Street, Robert Street the Cockleshell, Howard Street, William Street and parts of Gympie Terrace Noosaville
- Lake Weyba Drive (south of Eenie Creek Arterial).
- Some foreshores and adjacent roads at Boreen Point.
Roads that may be impacted by storm tide inundation include:
- Memorial Avenue Tewantin
- Hilton Terrace Tewantin
- Gympie Terrace Noosaville
- Weyba Road Noosaville
- Moorindil Street Tewantin (near the ferry terminal)
- Maximillian Road Noosa North Shore.
MAIN BEACH AND EASTERN BEACHES
All Noosa beaches remain closed. A change in wind direction round to the north / northeast is likely to change swell direction and wave height at Main Beach on Saturday, as well and Noosa’s open beaches. These changing conditions at Main Beach, Laguna Bay in regard to swell and currents may catch users off guard and it is very important people adhere to the beach closures and do not go swimming due to the dangerous conditions.
WASTE & RESOURCE RECOVERY CENTRES
Council’s waste facilities will remain closed until it is considered safe to re-open.
Residential collections will return to your next scheduled collection date. Please keep bins securely stored within your property boundary.
Due to the unpredictable nature of TC Alfred, our response to waste generated from this event, will determine when to open the waste facilities.
REPORTING TREE HAZARDS
Residents are advised to report fallen trees or potential tree hazards to Council via the Snap Send Solve. The app is free and available from the Apple Store or Google's Play Store. Simply search for the Snap Send Solve app and follow the prompts to download onto your mobile device. For more information go to the Snap Send Solve website.
CONTACTING COUNCIL
Council’s Customer Service Call Centre (07 5329 6500) will be open until 9pm on Thursday 6 March and will reopen at 6am on Friday 7 March. You can still call this number for after-hours assistance. In an emergency, if your life is in danger, call Triple Zero (000).
For non-life-threatening flood and storm emergency assistance during severe weather events call 132 500, visit 132500.qld.gov.au or use the SES Assistance QLD App.
COUNCIL FACILITIES
All Council facilities remain closed today and Friday.
This includes Noosa and Cooroy Libraries, Mobile Library, Noosa Seniors, Noosa Leisure Centre, Noosa Regional Gallery, The J, The Peregian Digital Hub, Council’s offices at Tewantin and Goodchap Street closed to customers.
Some facilities may provide limited opening hours on the weekend if conditions are reasonable however a final decision will be made tomorrow based on the latest weather advice
Noosa Leisure Centre has ceased ordinary customer services and programming but remains open as a place of refuge until further notice.
PLACE OF REFUGE NOW OPEN
Noosa Leisure Centre has opened as a place of refuge for residents and visitors who have no other place to go during Tropical Cyclone Alfred. Pets are welcome but leads or cages are required to keep them contained. The Leisure Centre is at 9 Wallace Drive Noosaville and will operate 24/7 until no longer required.
VULNERABLE PEOPLE
Council is working closely with local community organisations to support people who are sleeping rough, to ensure they have suitable shelter during the impending cyclone event. Anyone with details of a specific person in need of support, please send their details through to Council via commdev@noosa.qld.gov.au or 07 5329 6500 so that Council staff can reach out and offer support.
WATER SUPPLY
In the event that household water supply is affected over the coming days, Unity Water recommends storing three days' worth of water (about 10 litres per person) for drinking and hygiene if a water outage occurs. For more information go to the Unitywater website
POWER OUTAGES
To report fallen power lines, power outages or to check for outages in your area, check the Energex website
STAY UP-TO-DATE
Stay informed by visiting Council’s Disaster Dashboard
For tips on how to prepare your property, visit the Get Ready Queensland website.