Cyclone Oma: Beach goers defying bans could face criminal charges

Beach goers have been warned they could face criminal charges if they ignore specific bans as Tropical Cyclone Oma continues to whip up furious conditions across southeast Queensland.

SWIMMERS who defy beach bans could face criminal charges as Tropical Cyclone Oma continues to whip up furious conditions across southeast Queensland.

Beaches across the Gold and Sunshine coasts will remain closed until at least Sunday, despite latest predictions suggesting the cyclone could hang a sharp right and head north in the next 24 hours instead of continuing on a collision course with the southeast.

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However, Surf Life Saving Queensland lifesaving services coordinator Nathan Fife said the state’s army of volunteer lifesavers would still be on high alert as the coast braces for a barrage of cyclonic swells over the coming days.

He warned swimmers and kite surfers to stay away from the beaches as well as all but the most experienced of surfers.

He said lifesavers should not have to risk their own lives to save people who recklessly placed lives in danger.

People try to walk down Noosa Main beach on Friday morning. Picture: John McCutcheon

“Please stay out of the water,” he said.

“We don’t want to risk our lifesavers lives so that’s why we’re warning the public.

“We will ring the Queensland Police Service and get them to come down and deal with (any person why defies a beach closed directive).”

He said such instances could fall under public nuisance legislation and police would not hesitate to take action.

So far the warnings have worked, with no swimmers taking to the beaches on Friday morning.