Wollongong City Council media release: 30 June 2025
With the BOM warning of heavy rain, flash flooding and damaging winds, Wollongong City Council’s crews are on the ground preparing the city for the upcoming weather front.
“We work very closely with the SES and received information late last week that this was looking to be a potentially significant weather event for the city and the NSW coast,’’ Lord Mayor of Wollongong Councillor Tania Brown said.
“Our Emergency Operations Centre has been activated 12 times since July 2019 with 7 Declared Disasters, we’re well-versed in preparedness and we’ve had crews on the ground inspecting the highest risk stormwater systems and waterways since last week and coordinating the clearing of drains, where necessary, and opening outlets ahead of the expected rain event.
“While the SES are the lead agency to provide updates to the community, we will be sure to share their messages as new information becomes available.”
Sites inspected and / or cleared this week including known ‘hot spots’ like prescribed dams, trash racks across the city, the headwall at the south end of Thirroul Beach (sand cleared in front of it) and The Charcoal Creek culvert in Unanderra.
Trucks delivered sand to six locations across the city to help residents fill their own sandbags and prepare their properties. The SES will supply bags at these locations, but we know these run out quickly.
The sand is at:
- Bellambi Boat Ramp Overflow carpark
- Fairy Meadow Beach carpark
- Fred Finch Park carpark, Berkeley
- Rex Jackson Oval, Walker Street, Helensburgh
- Kanahooka Park carpark, Kanahooka Rd, Dapto
Residents need to bring their own bags. We recommend supermarket “green bags” or pillowcases if you don’t have access to hessian bags, and a shovel. The sand piles will be monitored today and tomorrow.
Wollongong City Council General Manager Greg Doyle said teams would be on standby around-the-clock over the week, ready to provide assistance to the NSW SES and Emergency Services if needed.
“During the April 6 severe weather event in 2024 we had teams out working alongside the SES volunteers to try and support our community through that disaster,’’ he said.
“We’re doing everything we can now to be ready for the weather front that is predicted to come over the next few days and we will continue to move around the city checking known hotspots.
“We encourage our residents to take the time to consider their flood and weather risks and to take the steps necessary to protect themselves, their families and their properties. We also ask people to take care and stay away from the beaches and foreshore areas when the strong winds, rains and large seas come.’’