Engineering students help prepare Sunshine Coast for future disasters

Eight teenage engineering students from TAFE Queensland’s Nambour campus are doing their part to assist in the prevention of future flood disasters, donating 10 sandbag filling stations created during their studies to the Sunshine Coast division of the State Emergency Service (SES).

The stations—which enable the solo filling of sandbags—will increase the speed and efficiency of their creation during time-sensitive flood preparations, making them a valuable contribution to the community.   

TAFE Queensland East Coast region General Manager Mark Reilly said the stations were built by students from The Industry School completing their Certificate II in Engineering Pathways (MEM20422), and offered the perfect opportunity for the students to develop their newfound skills while putting them into practise in an impactful way.

“As the state’s largest and most trusted training provider, TAFE Queensland is committed to supporting the region’s growing manufacturing sector, but we are also dedicated to enhancing the social wellbeing and sustainability of the communities in which we work and live throughout Queensland,” Mr Reilly said.

“The educator behind this initiative previously worked with their students to create similar stations for Fraser Coast Council a few years back in response to flooding in Maryborough, so following the severe weather events endured by the Sunshine Coast earlier this year, we held discussions with The Industry School to initiate the production of more for local use.

“Seeing the long queues for sandbags during these events highlighted a real need for equipment that could improve the sandbagging process, and the creation of these stations enabled these students to complete one of their units of competency by creating a basic engineering project that brings their skills together in a real-world context that supports our community,” he said.

Principal of The Industry School Sunshine Coast, Nick Harrison said he is delighted to see such a positive outcome from their partnership with TAFE Queensland.

“This project is a fantastic opportunity for students at The Industry School to experience the real-world application of the skills they’re developing through their prevocational course,” Mr Harrison said.

“These young people represent the future of industry, and it’s incredibly rewarding to see them using their training to contribute meaningfully and make a difference.”

The project also involved the support of several older apprentices, who aided by manufacturing some of the more advanced components, such as the hinges.

Mayor Rosanna Natoli formally accepted the donation on behalf of Sunshine Coast Council on Friday 25 July, with the mayor presenting the students behind the devices with certificates of appreciation in front of members of Member for Nicklin Martin Hunt, the local SES and Queensland Police Service.

Mayor Natoli said she was grateful to accept this donation on behalf of the Sunshine Coast community and Council’s Local Disaster Management Group.

“It’s inspiring to see our young people using their skills to strengthen our region’s resilience,” Mayor Natoli said.

“Sandbags are one of the most practical and vital tools we can use during flooding events, to protect our homes, businesses and public infrastructure.

“The ability to fill them quickly and efficiently can make a critical difference in how well our community is prepared for, responds to, and recovers from severe weather.

“These student-designed filling stations are not just a clever engineering solution, they’re a significant contribution to our region’s disaster preparedness and resilience.”