Sandbag disposal
In preparation for Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred, the Sunshine Coast community has made use of close to 200,000 SES supplied sandbags.
With the BoM forecasting localised, flash flooding, heavy rain and damaging wind gusts, residents and businesses are encouraged to keep their sandbags in place until the threat has passed.
Sandbags will not stop flooding entirely. However, if they are placed in suitable locations they can help reduce the amount of water that enters your property.
Sandbag disposal
When the time comes to dispose of your sandbags, the sand should never be emptied onto beaches, it's the wrong type of sand for our delicate eco-system. Please use the sand in your gardens, or to top dress your lawn and place the bag in your general waste bin or keep it handy for future use (bags may last up to 12 months).
SES sandbag disposal locations
March 11th 2025 - 2.16pm
Disposal locations are open from 7am to 3pm each day until Friday March 14, 2025. Some sites, which do not have weekend sporting activities, will also open Saturday and/or Sunday.
| Location | Address | Operating Hours |
| Meridan Fields Sports Complex | Entry via Western gate off Meridan Way | Until 3pm Friday - no weekend access |
| Eudlo Rural Fire Brigade | Eudlo Rural Fire Brigade | Until 3pm Friday - no weekend access |
| Caloundra Indoor Stadium | Southern side of the end carpark | Until 3pm Friday and on Sunday only - no Saturday access |
| Parklakes Sports Complex, Bli Bli | Bli Bli | Until 3pm Friday and on Sunday only - no Saturday access |
| Nambour Showgrounds | Enter via main entrance off Coronation Avenue | Including Saturday and Sunday |
| Palmview Estate | Flintwood Crescent Park | Including Saturday and Sunday |
| Coolum Sports Complex | Coolum Sports Complex | Including Saturday and Sunday |
Please ensure you bring appropriate tools to safely open your sandbags.
We are unable to take sandbags collected from outlets other than SES as the contents cannot be verified as safe to use across our fields.
Find out more about preparing for floods and understanding your flood risk by visiting Get Ready Queensland.
Public sandbag locations
All SES and public sandbagging locations are closed.
DIY sandbagging
Buy the items you need to make your own sandbags from participating local hardware stores and landscape supply businesses (see list below).
Demonstrations
Demonstrations
For an online demonstration of how to make your own sandbags, see the SES YouTube video.
What you will need:
- Empty sandbags
- Sand
- Plastic sheeting
You will also need string if you are transporting the sandbags.
Note. Not all hardware stores and landscape supply yards stock the items needed to make sandbags. You should check with your local stockist or refer to participating hardware and landscape supply businesses. This list of suppliers below will be updated from time to time. They may not have supplies in stock, so you should phone first and check.
Filling the sandbag
Filling the sandbag
- Use dry sand – not soil.
- Fill to two-thirds full so they are not too heavy to carry.
- Leave the top of the sandbag untied.
- If you need to transport sandbags, tie loosely then untie the sandbag again.
Choosing the best location for the sandbags
Choosing the best location for the sandbags
- In front of doorways, roller doors and brickwork vents.
- Over floor wastes and shower and bath drains to prevent backflow of grey water.
- Make sure you leave at least one doorway for your use. You should build a small sandbag wall away from the actual doorway.
Laying the sandbags
Laying the sandbags
- The number of sandbags you use depends on location and expected flood height. Usually two rows of sandbags are enough.
- Place a layer of plastic sheeting for the sandbags to be stacked on top. This acts as a water proofing covering.
- Lay sandbags like brickwork on top of plastic sheeting – generally to two sandbag rows high.
- Start at one end and work to the other end.
- Make sure the untied end of the sandbag is covered by the next sandbag.
- At the end of the row, tuck the untied end under the last sandbag.
- Stagger rows so that the joins do not line up.
Storing sandbags
Storing sandbags
Store sandbags in a dry place out of the weather. They can rot if they get wet or damp.
Disposing of used sandbags
Disposing of used sandbags
- Sandbags need to be thrown away once they’ve been exposed to floodwaters.
- Never re-use them.
- Take care when moving used sandbags. You should wear sturdy gloves. They bags will be heavy and may contain contaminants from flood water.
Participating hardware stores
The following businesses* stock materials needed for DIY sandbags. Don’t forget to give them a call before you visit. Make sure they have materials in stock and are open – particularly on public holidays.
As at March 4th 2025 - 12:00pm
| Business | Location | Phone number | Availability |
| Neil Mansell Landscape Supplies (sandbags and sand) | Maroochydore | (07) 5443 8725 | No, but they might be getting a delivery at lunchtime. |
| Yandina Hardware (sandbags and sand) | Yandina | (07) 5446 8588 | No, and not getting anymore. |
| Maleny Landscaping Supplies (sand only) | Maleny | (07) 5494 3233 | Yes |
| Maleny Hardware & Rural Supplies (sandbags only) | Maleny | (07) 5494 2302 | Yes |
| Sunshine Mitre 10 (sandbags and plastic bags of play sand) | Nambour | (07) 5441 9900 | None |
| Mooloolah Valley Hardware (sandbags and sand) | Mooloolah | (07) 5494 7622 | 3to 4 m cube of sand - no sand bags |
| Maroochy Sand & Gravel (sand only) | Forest Glen | (07) 5442 3337 | Yes, plenty of sand. |
*Emergency services may not always be able to get to you. These businesses are partners in the Sandbag Supply and Education Project. This project is to help you better prepare for the possibility of flooding.