Builders are taking to all their sites across South East Queensland (SEQ) and northern NSW today to prepare for the impending arrival of Cyclone Alfred. 

With an estimated arrival Thursday afternoon to Friday morning, building sites from Tewantin to potentially Ballina could be impacted by up to 130km/hour winds and potential flooding. 

Master Builders Queensland have released their checklist as follows: 

• Remove any loose material and rubbish
• Perform a site clean-up and empty rubbish skips
• Ensure the scaffold contractor secures and braces any on-site scaffolding. After the storm, have them inspect the scaffolding to confirm whether it’s safe to use
• Securely fix down roofing materials, such as fascia, gutters and flashings, and lash them down if they’re not installed
• Brace or core-fill block masonry walls
• Add bracing to framed walls
• Check with your temporary fence supplier that the temporary fence has been installed with the potential wind loads likely during storms or cyclones. 
• Delay material deliveries until after storms have passed
• Put site drainage in place to legal points of discharge to avoid flooding
• Close all windows and doors to prevent any internal damage.
• Return to the worksite when it’s safe to do so and assess or repair any damage.

The HIA have also provided their Severe Weather Checklist with all of the above and a couple of additional items: 

• Remove Portaloo’s from site
• Turn off power, gas, and water supply to the premises
• Ensure that sediment control measures are in place. Divert surface water away from foundations and neighbouring properties.

Russel Kay from Coastlife Homes said another key item to look at is what is on your site fencing: 

“With our site fences, we’ve removed any advertising banners and bunting on the fences so that the air can get through them a bit easier, and also make sure that they make sure that they’re secured. It lets the fences breathe a bit easier. You don’t end up having a parachute effect, you know”. 

He reminded builders to get out their early and don’t leave it to the last minute:

“I think it’s just, it’s common sense. You know, we don’t really know what’s going to happen yet, so prepare for the worst and hope for the best, and just make sure that you don’t get to that 11th hour and you’re rushing around like an idiot trying to get things tidied up.”

“Prepare early. You know, we’ve been preparing since yesterday, so prepare early. Set yourself up, and hopefully, we all pull through this okay”.

Author: Peter Love

Pete was the General Manager of one of Australia’s largest home builders for six years, before starting his own business as a buyers’ advocate, building over 200 homes in five years across South East Queensland and working with over 20 builders to deliver them. Across this time he has seen most facets of the industry, the good, the bad, and the beautiful.