Sandbags

When should I use sandbags and does Council provide them?

Sandbags are useful for addressing localised flooding (for example, to stop water flowing under a garage door or diverting water downhill), but they don't protect against water coming from under a house and through floorboards.

Residents and businesses are responsible for providing their own sandbags in preparation for a storm event.

If a property is regularly subjected to flooding, then it is the property owner's responsibility to be proactive and take such precautions to protect themselves and their property.

During storm events and flooding, maintenance crews employed by Council are focused on maintaining the function and safety of key infrastructure such as roads, stormwater, water and sewerage.

Available resources are typically limited during these times, so crews will be prioritised to where they can provide the greatest effect.

Please remember - if you are in danger or your property is under immediate threat during a storm event, please contact emergency services on 111.

Alternative solution

Sheets of PVC are a practical way to create a waterproof barrier around doors, provided they are fixed in place adequately.

Purchasing sandbags

Places to purchase sand and sandbags:

Bunnings - 538-1200
Land and Sand, 59 Saxton Road - 547-4777

Places to purchase sand only (BYO bags):

Millers, 127 Bolt Road - 547-6850
Bay Nursery, 33 Bateup Road - 544-8662

Places to purchase bags only:

Ritex International, Bolt Road - 547-8328

Tips for using sandbags

• Sandbags are not waterproof and are best used for directing water flow rather than keeping property dry.
• Keep sandbags dry and separate from sand (or soil) until needed. Do not store sandbags pre-filled, as they will begin to rot when put into storage filled with damp sand.
• You should generally fill and place your sandbags before a weather event, not during. Sandbags take time and effort to fill and place.
• Filled sandbags are very heavy. They generally only need to be half-full as this allows for easier and better placement.
• Stack them like bricks, overlapping.

Disposing of sandbags

For clean sandbags: Spread the sand on lawns or landscape beds - it makes a good soil additive. Place the empty bags in your garbage bin (not your recycling bin).

For contaminated sandbags: Sandbags that have been in contact with floodwater and therefore may be contaminated with raw sewage, industrial chemicals, petroleum products, etc. must be disposed of at solid waste landfill

Please Note:
Do not dump sandbags into stormwater drains.