Storm season in South East Queensland can turn an untidy yard into a safety problem overnight. Loose pots, overgrown branches and blocked drains are easy to ignore during the dry months, but strong winds and heavy rain can quickly create hazards around your home.
If you are an NDIS participant in Brisbane, Toowoomba or the Sunshine Coast, getting your yard ready early can make a real difference to your safety, access and peace of mind. This guide covers what to check, what your NDIS plan may help with, and how to plan your garden maintenance before the wild weather arrives.
Quick answer: before storm season, trim overhanging branches, clear loose items and garden debris, keep paths and drainage areas clear, and check that you can safely get in and out of your home. If your disability makes yard upkeep difficult or unsafe, NDIS funding for house or yard maintenance may help cover regular garden support. Confirm what your plan includes with your plan manager or support coordinator.
Why Storm Season Yard Prep Matters
Late spring and summer bring storms, strong winds and heavy downpours across South East Queensland. A yard that has not been maintained can create risks such as:
- Branches falling onto roofs, fences, cars or pathways
- Loose pots, furniture and rubbish becoming airborne
- Water pooling near the house because garden beds or drains are blocked
- Slippery, overgrown or uneven paths that make access harder
- Long grass hiding trip hazards, snakes or pests after rain
For people living with disability, these hazards can affect more than the garden. They can make it harder to move safely around the property, receive visits from support workers or leave the home in an emergency.
Your Storm Season Yard Checklist
The Queensland Building and Construction Commission recommends cutting back overhanging branches, clearing gutters and downpipes, keeping the yard free of loose rubbish and maintaining drainage and garden areas before storm season. Here is how that looks in practice.
1. Trim Overhanging Branches and Shrubs
Cut back branches that hang over the roof, driveway, paths or power connection to your home. Hedges and shrubs near doors and ramps should also be trimmed so access stays clear.
Safety note: large trees, high branches and anything near power lines should be handled by a qualified arborist or electrical contractor, not a general gardener.
2. Mow and Edge the Lawn
Grass grows quickly with summer rain and heat. Keeping it short before storms makes it easier to spot debris, reduces hiding places for pests and helps water drain away from the house.
3. Clear Loose Items and Green Waste
Walk around the yard and look for anything that could blow around in strong winds:
- Pot plants and hanging baskets
- Outdoor chairs, tables and cushions
- Garden tools and hoses
- Piles of clippings, branches or old timber
- Bins without secure lids
Store what you can in a shed or garage and remove green waste rather than leaving it in piles.
4. Keep Drainage Areas Clear
Clear leaves and mulch away from drains, grates and low points in the yard. Make sure garden beds are not built up against the house in a way that pushes water towards walls. Gutters and downpipes also need checking, but roof work should only be done by someone with the right equipment and training.
5. Check Paths, Ramps and Entryways
Make sure paths, ramps and steps are clear of overgrowth, moss and leaf litter. Wet weather makes these surfaces slippery, so a clean, open route to and from your home is one of the most important parts of storm preparation.
6. Plan a Post-Storm Clean-Up
Even a well-prepared yard may need attention after a big storm. Talk to your gardening provider ahead of time about how they handle extra visits, fallen branches and debris removal so you are not left waiting when you need help most.
Local Tips for Brisbane, Toowoomba and the Sunshine Coast
- Greater Brisbane: humid summers mean fast growth. Many households benefit from more frequent mowing and hedge trimming between November and March.
- Toowoomba: storms on the Range can bring strong winds and hail. Focus on securing loose items and trimming trees near the house.
- Sunshine Coast: heavy coastal rain makes drainage a priority. Keep garden beds, drains and paths clear of mulch and leaf build-up.
Can the NDIS Help With Storm Season Yard Maintenance?
Yard maintenance may be funded through your NDIS plan under House or Yard Maintenance (support item 01_019_0120_1_1) in the Assistance with Daily Life category, when the support is reasonable and necessary and relates to your disability.
This can include regular tasks such as:
- Lawn mowing and edging
- Weeding and general garden tidying
- Trimming hedges and small shrubs
- Clearing paths and outdoor access areas
- Removing garden waste
Work such as large tree removal, roof repairs or major landscaping is usually treated differently. Price limits are set in the NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits, which are updated each financial year, so always check the current guide or ask your plan manager before booking.
How to Organise Your Storm Season Garden Support
- Check your plan. Confirm you have Core Supports funding for house or yard maintenance.
- Talk to your support coordinator or plan manager. Ask how invoices will be paid and whether your budget can cover extra visits during storm season.
- Book early. Gardening providers get busy once the weather turns, so lock in a pre-season tidy-up in October or November.
- Agree on a schedule. Regular visits through summer stop the yard getting out of control between storms.
- Put it in writing. Your service agreement should list tasks, visit frequency and how urgent clean-ups are handled.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I prepare my yard for storm season in Queensland?
Aim to complete a full yard tidy-up in spring, before the busiest storm months of summer. Regular maintenance through the season then keeps the property safe.
Does the NDIS pay for lawn mowing?
Lawn mowing can be funded under House or Yard Maintenance when it is reasonable and necessary and you are unable to do it because of your disability. Check your plan and speak with your plan manager.
Can an NDIS gardener remove fallen trees after a storm?
Gardeners can usually clear small branches and green waste. Large fallen trees, damaged structures and anything near power lines need a qualified arborist, tradesperson or the SES.
How often should my yard be maintained in summer?
In South East Queensland’s growing season, many homes need mowing every one to two weeks. Your provider can recommend a schedule based on your yard size and needs.
Get Your Yard Storm-Ready With Humming
Humming Home Services is an NDIS registered provider offering garden maintenance, lawn mowing and home cleaning across Greater Brisbane, Toowoomba and the Sunshine Coast. Whether you are a participant, support coordinator or plan manager, we are happy to help you plan regular yard care before and during storm season.
Phone: 0478 534 064
Email: admin@humminghomeservices.au
Website: humminghomeservices.au/contact
Related reading: NDIS Gardening Providers in Brisbane, Toowoomba & Sunshine Coast · How to Choose Reliable NDIS Home Cleaning, Lawn Mowing & Garden Maintenance in Toowoomba
