Sandbags available in Kialla

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Stock up: Tatura State Emergency Service unit controller Bec Gould and Shepparton Search and Rescue president Nacole Standfield with the sandbags that are available at Kialla Recreation Reserve. Photo by Megan Fisher

A sandbag collection point has been set up in Kialla, with Goulburn Valley residents worried about flood risks at their home able to take 25 sandbags.

The collection point has been set up by Shepparton Search and Rescue, Tatura State Emergency Service, and Greater Shepparton City Council.

Tatura SES unit controller Bec Gould said there was a 25-bag limit per household at the collection point.

Getting ready: Shepparton Search and Rescue volunteer Stewart Zanelli with sandbags that are available to Goulburn Valley residents. Photo by Megan Fisher

She said they were to be used as a precaution and as preparation for the rising waters.

Ms Gould said rather than putting sandbags all around the house, they should be placed in strategic points.

People should sandbag all external doorways.

On brick houses, air vents on the outside of brick houses should be have sandbags placed against them to stop water getting in.

Ms Gould also recommended dropping a sandbag over the drain hole in the shower, as well as putting one inside the toilet bowl if you were told flooding would affect your house.

This will stop sewage backing up through pipes and flooding into your house that way.

“Don’t just cover the top of the toilet,” she said.

The sandbag collection point is at Kialla Recreation Reserve in Kialla.

It is located near the Kialla Scout Hall, and the best entry point to that part of the reserve is through Recreation Dve.

Filling: Shepparton Search and Rescue volunteer Stewart Zanelli with sandbags that are available to Goulburn Valley residents. Photo by Megan Fisher

It will be open from 10am to 2pm and from 5pm to 7pm on Wednesday, October 12, Thursday, October 13 and Friday, October 14.

People will need to fill the sandbags themselves in most cases.

Some shovels are available, but as the site gets busier, people may want to bring their own.

Trailers are also recommended to take the sandbags away.