Brisbane City Council Archives

Cyclone Alfred Puts Morningside in Danger Zone as Sandbag Distribution Soars

EDITOR'S NOTE: This is a developing story. | Photo Credit: LeeanneEnochMP

Cyclone Alfred moves closer to the southeast Queensland coast, emergency flood modelling has placed Morningside at high risk for flooding and storm surges, prompting urgent sandbag distribution efforts.

Morningside was severely impacted in past flooding events, with streets submerged and many homes sustaining extensive water damage. Residents who lived through that disaster are now preparing for another major weather event, with fears that flooding could reach similar or worse levels.

Brisbane flooding 2022 and 2011 — *Brisbane’s Flood Map for Morningside, includes 2022 & 2011 tracks*

With Cyclone Alfred, Brisbane’s flood risk modelling places Morningside among the most vulnerable suburbs, alongside Brighton, Windsor, Ashgrove, Rocklea, and Nudgee Beach. The slow-moving cyclone, combined with expected storm surges of up to 0.8 metres above the highest tide, could make conditions even more dangerous.

Brisbane's Emergency Dashboard for Cyclone Alfred — *Weather Warning for Cyclone Alfred*

Locals are taking extra precautions, securing valuables, stocking up on emergency supplies, and sandbagging their homes well ahead of the storm. Some residents who were forced to evacuate in 2022 say they won’t take any chances this time.

Others, particularly those in low-lying streets, are closely monitoring emergency updates to decide if they need to relocate before the cyclone hits.

Unprecedented Sandbag Demand in Morningside

The demand for sandbags in Morningside and other Brisbane suburbs has surged to historic levels, with 74,000 bags distributed in just 24 hours—more than double the highest single-day total recorded during the 2022 floods. Residents have been waiting in queues for up to five hours, with many arriving at collection stations before dawn. At the Newmarket sandbag station, the line stretched for blocks, while in Darra and Morningside, locals reported supplies running out within hours.

In Morningside, a local barista set up a coffee cart for those waiting in line, offering free drinks to neighbours preparing for the storm. Community spirit has been evident as residents help each other fill and transport sandbags, sharing resources to ensure everyone gets protection.

Despite the high demand, Brisbane City Council and the State Emergency Service (SES) have been working around the clock to keep up with supply, replenishing sandbag stations throughout the day. However, officials warn that resources are limited and encourage residents to only take what they need.

USE BRISBANE EMERGENCY DASHBOARD

Sandbag Sites as of 5 March 2025

Using the Sandbags

As a safety precaution of residents and workers, sandbag operations at all facilities will stop at 8:00 p.m. 5 March.

Council Services and Facilities Affected by Cyclone Alfred

Due to the severe weather conditions expected from Cyclone Alfred, Brisbane City Council has announced several changes to public transport, waste collection, and community services until further notice.

Transport

All CityCat and ferry services are suspended indefinitely.
The Story Bridge footpaths will close from 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, 5 March.
Bus services will be suspended from the last service on Wednesday, 5 March.

Waste Collection

Only red-top bins will be collected on Wednesday, 5 March. Residents should not put out any other bins.
All waste collection services will be suspended from Thursday, 6 March, due to safety concerns.
Residents are urged to bring in and secure their bins as soon as possible.

Libraries

All Brisbane City Council libraries will close from Thursday, 6 March.
Pop-up library park visits and the Mobile Library service are cancelled for the week due to the cyclone.
The Home Library Service will be suspended for the remainder of the week.

Community Halls and Recreational Facilities

All community halls and council pools will be closed from Thursday, 6 March.
Water play areas in playgrounds will be shut off starting 5 March.
Council golf courses will be closed from Thursday, 6 March.

Cyclone Alfred’s Impact

Cyclone Alfred is currently tracking towards the southeast Queensland coast at 11km/h, with landfall expected on Friday morning near Brisbane’s south. Meteorologists warn that damaging winds of 130km/h or higher could cause widespread power outages, while rainfall totals of up to 700mm over three days could lead to life-threatening flash flooding.

With the Port of Brisbane closed, Brisbane Airport on high alert for flight cancellations, and Queensland Rail preparing to suspend services, the region is bracing for significant disruption. Supermarkets have been granted 24-hour restocking permissions due to ongoing panic buying, and evacuation centres are being prepared in case of emergency.

Residents are urged to stay informed through the Brisbane City Council’s emergency dashboard, Bureau of Meteorology updates, and local SES alerts. Authorities emphasise that preparedness now will make all the difference once Cyclone Alfred arrives.

Published 5-March-2025

Quality of Life Upgrades Scheduled for Morningside’s Keralgerie Park

With over 2,100 parks under the management of the Brisbane City Council, plans are being set in motion to upgrade those in need of improvement, including Morningside’s very own Keralgerie Park.

During an environment, parks and sustainability committee, plans were drawn for nine suburban park upgrade projects spread across Brisbane by the Brisbane City Council. Morningside’s Keralgerie Park was among the list of parks due for improvement, and these improvements were set to happen within the year.

One of the additions the Brisbane City Council intends to bring is the implementation of easily-accessible public toilets close to the parking lot in Keralgerie Park — a necessary quality-of-life and convenience upgrade for drivers and passengers alike.

Parking is also set to become more accessible, and there are plans to install fitness equipment for public use throughout the area. There are also plans to plant additional trees for shade, and to create a new pedestrian and scooter path that encircles the entirety of the park to facilitate navigation.

With $71 million allocated to parks in the 2020-21 budget, an estimated $5.8 million is being put towards park recreation projects, with $2.7 million being spent on neighbourhood park upgrades and $3 million on suburban park maintenance.

“There’s a lot of work that goes upfront to make sure we’re getting the appropriate facilities to the community,” says Wade Fitzgerald, Brisbane City Council Major Projects and Asset Coordination Manager, stressing the importance of community feedback to the planning process.

Locals Oppose Development Lodged for Beelarong Street in Morningside

Photo credit: Google Street View

Residents are against the proposed residential lots, new roads and drainage reserve plans for 54 and 133 Beelarong Street in Morningside.

An online petition led by a concerned Morningside resident has requested the Council to acquire the rural zoned land to protect it from residential development.

Locals who signed the petition agree that a residential development will never be appropriate on a land that comes under many City Plan 2014 overlays, which includes a wetland, an erosion-prone area, and a citywide waterway corridor.

Following concerns from the locals, the Brisbane City Council has already expressed their opinion regarding the matter. It now appears that even the Council does not support the proposal.

According to City Planning Chairman Matthew Bourke, Council has already raised several concerns with the applicant during pre-lodgement meetings and continued to raise concerns about flood-free access and environmental impacts during the ongoing assessment process.

BCC will not finalise the assessment of the proposed residential development unless it gets a response from the State Government to do so.

Cr Bourke said the State Government is required to review the development application as the proposal could potentially impact marine plants in the area.

The development application will require truck loads of fill to raise the land above most floods. This will likely result in an increased flood risk to all other properties within the Perrin Creek catchment.

It will also lead to loss of green space and destruction of protected vegetation and wildlife corridors, not to mention that it can cause unacceptable risk to pedestrians, cyclists and motorists on Beelarong Street.

Proposed Development

Based on the development application lodged in August 2018, the applicant is planning to build 23 house blocks and a new road in Beelarong Street in two stages.

The first stage will be for building nine lots, one balance lot and a new road. The final stage will be dedicated for constructing the 14 lots, a drainage reserve and another road.

Photo credit: pdonline.brisbane.qld.gov.au

Developers are seeking to link the subdivision to Beelarong Street through a local road network.

Cardno, the designer of the proposed subdivision believes the size and dimensions of the created lots are in keeping with the surrounding residential neighbourhood.

The designers are also convinced that the size and dimensions are appropriate for the siting and construction of dwelling houses on the lots in a manner that maximises private space, privacy, amenity and the economic use of land in a well-serviced locality.

The developer is convinced all rain events would not be worsened and assured that they are going to upgrade Beelarong St to ensure flood free access.

For further information about the proposed house blocks at Beelarong Street, see the Full DA – A005003693.

Kerbside Collection in Morningside: Time to De-clutter, Recycle, or Donate

Heads up, Morningside peeps! Kerbside Collection is coming to Morningside on Monday, the 30th of October. It’s the perfect time to get rid of those big pieces of furniture and appliances or those clutters waiting for disposal. However, there are items that could be given a second lease on life. You may have clutter that can still be useful when recycled or donated.

Be prepared! Organise your clutter early and sort them out. Do note that there is a list of acceptable and unacceptable items. For the items that you want to take out, Brisbane City Council recommends that all items should be taken out this weekend. Just make sure that you follow the limit. The Council will only collect piles that are not larger than two cubic metres, or the equivalent of a small box trailer load to cater to the whole neighbourhood.

If you happen to have unacceptable items or items that you think are usable, don’t take these items out on the kerb. There are other places where you can bring these items.

Visit the Resource Recovery Centres to Recycle.

The Resource Recovery Centres is open for both recyclable and green or general waste. There are four recovery centres in Brisbane located in Willawong, Chandler, Ferny Grove, and Nudgee, that were recently upgraded to further help in reducing waste to landfill by making recycling easier and faster.

Do note that the centres are open from 6:30 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. every day, including Christmas and other holidays. Vehicles that are under 4.5 tonnes Combined Gross Vehicle Mass (CGVM) can use the drive-through recycling area for free, whilst vehicles above the limit can still use the service with fees applied.

The Resource Recovery Centres turn over all of the recyclable items that they collected to the tip shops in Acacia Ridge and Geebung. It’s the tip shops’ job to rethink and recycle the items that were turned over into something beautiful and useful. The shops stocks household furnishings, collectables, books, toys, and sporting equipments.

Photo credit: karenbenjaminartist/Instagram

These tip shops are operated by Endeavour Foundation, one of the largest non-government organisations with a goal to help people with disabilities. All of the proceeds are reinvested back into fulfilling the foundation’s goal.

Don’t hesitate to visit the tip shops on Saturdays and Sundays, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Donate usable items to the charities.

If you have items that are usable with minimal or no damage at all, save these items from getting dumped and donate. According to the February 2017 NAB Charitable Giving Index, total charitable giving fell in Queensland by 2.5% over the year course since February 2016. This has made Queensland the lowest of all the states in terms of total donations.

There are charities where you can donate these items. The National Association of Charitable Recycling Organisations Inc. (NACRO) is the peak organisation that holds several charities all over Australia, including Endeavour Foundation. NACRO’s assistance includes home visitations, refugee assistance, hospital and health services, aged care services, and other programs that will give benefits to the society.

Photo credit: GIVIT – Goods For Good Cause/Facebook

If you don’t have time to visit the charities, you can try to “GIVIT”. GIVIT is a national non-profit virtual organisation that supports all agencies, services, and charities in Australia in storing, sorting out, and distributing donations.

Donating to GIVIT is easy. Just check out their list of items that are needed by other people and charities or pledge your own items into the virtual warehouse through registration of every item on the website. There are also items that are prohibited to pledge.

Supporting homeless people through GIVIT
What difference can a bicycle make for someone who has been living rough?It's homelessness week and a couple of months back, we made this video with our friends at UnitingCare West to show how real action and innovation can make a difference in people's lives. #Homelessness #HW2017
Posted by GIVIT – Goods For Good Causes on Tuesday, August 8, 2017

Save people in need the trouble of rummaging piles. Recycle and donate more.