Caloundra area residents and business owners can dispose of green waste for free until COB Tuesday January 19, after a severe storm caused extensive vegetation damage late Saturday, 16 January 2021.
The powerful storm cell caused the most impact to the southern suburbs of Caloundra, Little Mountain, Moffat Beach, Currimundi and Aroona.
Acting Mayor Rick Baberowski said the Caloundra resource recovery centre would accept free green waste disposal required as a result of the storms.
“Sunshine Coast Council’s clean-up crews are working as quickly as possible to attend to the job of clearing and making safe our public spaces, so we thank the community for their patience,” Cr Baberowski said.
“We understand that our affected residents and those nearby will most likely be in some shock following what is for some quite extensive damage.
“Council wants to reassure our community our disaster management teams and emergency support partners have acted quickly to provide assistance.”
Local Disaster Co-ordinator Tom Jamieson said there were no reports of damage to essential infrastructure.
“Assessments of the areas are still continuing this morning, however reports initially are that there has been wide spread damage to these southern locations, with many large trees down over roads with some through roofs and vehicles, debris covering roads and public areas, powerlines down and a number of leaking roofs on private properties,” Mr Jamieson said.
“Our council teams have worked through the night to attend emergency works and clearing, with numerous field crews and arborists out this morning to manage the clean-up and restoration efforts.
“SES has also worked through the night to assist with private property issues. SES received 58 call-outs last night, and a number came through this morning.
“There are 255 residences without power in the Moffatt, Kings and Shelly beach areas. Energex is on site at these locations to restore power as soon as possible.
“Crews will be conducting emergent works today (Sunday 17 January) throughout the region and ensuring the area is safe, however it is expected that the full clean-up will be quite extensive and be carried out over the coming week.
“At this time the effects on the coastal areas and beaches are still being assessed and we will keep our community informed.”
Mr Jamieson said the disaster management team would monitor the event closely as more storms were predicted over the coming 24 hours.
“Council crews are on standby and we also urge residents to clear their yards as much as possible today to prevent further damage and to secure any items which may become airborne.”
Visit Council’s Disaster Hub to keep up to date: disasterhub.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au.
