Townsville residents living in suburbs hit hardest by the record rain event are urged to start preparing for the upcoming bulk waste blitz.
Local Recovery and Resilience Group Chair Les Walker said a surge of Australian Defence Force personnel will hit the streets of Townsville's worst impacted suburbs on Monday and Tuesday to collect flood waste materials removed from domestic and residential properties over the weekend.
"I urge residents in the Collection Zones to remove as many flood-damaged items and materials from their homes as possible over the weekend, where it is safe to do so," Cr Walker said.
"The Queensland Fire and Emergency Service (QFES) will be on hand throughout the weekend to assist with clearing accessways and cleaning houses in those suburbs, as well as moving flood-damaged hard rubbish to the curb for collection."
QFES is also providing support to residents outside of the Collection Zone including at Alligator Creek, Bluewater, Gumlow and Nome.
Team Rubicon Australia will commence clean-up assistance and help co-ordinate volunteers from Wednesday.
To see if your street is within the Collection Zone, visit Collection Zones - Residential Flood Waste & Debris Only (PDF)
Cr Walker said the recovery effort is well underway with city-wide road clearing expected to be completed by the weekend.
"Townville City Council and Australian Defence Force personnel are currently out in force with heavy machinery removing silt, mud and rocks from roadways," he said.
"Council dumps and tips will be readied for the massive clean-up effort."
Residents in other suburbs can dispose of flood waste items for free at waste facilities at Stuart, Hervey Range, Toomulla and Magnetic Island during normal operating hours. Bluewater will be open for additional days this weekend including Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
For residential properties that lost power, free food waste bins are available at Bunnings Domain Central, North Shore and the Murray Sporting Complex soccer field carparks until further notice.
