Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred recovery information

Please be aware that floodwaters may still contain harmful contaminants and hazardous debris. This includes bacteria, chemicals, logs, sharp objects, and other hidden dangers in beaches, rivers, creeks and lakes. Pollution from stormwater and sewage overflows can cause higher levels of faecal contamination that makes water quality unsuitable for swimming.

For your safety, it is recommended avoiding these bodies of water for at least 72 hours (or three days) after rainfall, as contaminants are likely still present. Even after this time, inspect the area for waste, logs, debris, oil and other potential hazards before entering the water. 

Find out more at Maintaining health during and after floods and storm

As floodwater recedes from roads and bridges, Council will inspect them for any damage and arrange urgent repairs. Roads and bridges that are safe to travel on will reopen.

Each bridge and road must be thoroughly inspected to ensure it is safe to use. It is crucial to follow all road and bridge closure signs.  Travelling on a closed road or bridge puts your safety at serious risk.

Council manages a large network of roads and bridges and many have been impacted by flooding. While repairing roads is a priority, it will take time to complete all necessary inspections and repairs.

Please check the road and bridge updates at Live Traffic

To help with flood waste disposal, Council is providing free kerbside waste pickups for impacted properties.

Please place flood waste, including sandbags, on the kerbside no later than 31 March 2025.

The collections will start from 1 April 2025 and will run until all flood waste is collected.

Here’s how it works:

• Separate your green waste, metal and white goods and general rubbish. They will be collected by different trucks.
• Use your regular green bin for items like leaves, light garden debris, fronds or unpackaged food waste.
• Use your red bin for general waste that fits and yellow bins for commingle recycling.
• Please stockpile yard and tree debris or any flood-affected hard waste on your property until the kerbside pickup starts. You can place it at the kerb but not on the road or in places where it may block household bin collections.
• Continue using your regular green, red and yellow bin services as usual. Collection will proceed as normal.
• If your bin is full, consider asking neighbours if you can use extra space in their green bins.

Please note that only flood waste will be collected.

If you wish to drop off flood waste yourself, this can be self-hauled to the Waste Management Centre on Crescent Head Road. Disposal of flood waste here will also be free.

For more tips on cleaning up flood waste safely, please head to Maintaining health during and after floods and storms

An interactive map showing eligible areas will soon be available.

Areas eligible for free flood waste kerbside pick ups

If you believe your property is flood affected and your area or street is not on the list, please contact Council on 6566 3200.

Please note that using sports fields before they have had enough time to dry out and drain properly can cause additional damage.

It’s important to follow the closure signs so that further damage is avoided and community groups and residents aren’t impacted by unnecessary delays in reopening sports fields.

Council will update sport fields statuses at Sports field status and on our Facebook page.

Emergency Financial Assistance has been made available from the Australian and NSW Government for residents severely affected by ex-tropical Cyclone Alfred.

This joint funding package provides emergency financial assistance of $180 for eligible individuals and $180 per eligible dependent (up to four dependents) to help cover essential costs like food, clothing, medicine and emergency accommodation.

Applications open on Wednesday 12 March and eligibility criteria apply.

More information can be found at Financial support after a natural disaster

Macleay Valley Coast Holiday Parks have reopened. This includes holiday parks at Crescent Head, Hat Head, Horseshoe Bay, Stuarts Point and Grassy Head.

Macleay Valley Coast Holiday Parks are managed by NRMA Parks and Resorts. For updates on the holiday parks, please head to Macleay Valley Coast Holiday Parks