Hamish hammers Cooloola Coast

EX Tropical Cyclone Hamish was downgraded to a low but the effects of it and a high pressure system in the Tasman Sea were still whipping up seas.

EX Tropical Cyclone Hamish was downgraded to a low yesterday but the effects of it and a high pressure system in the Tasman Sea were still whipping up seas on the Cooloola Coast.

Yesterday erosion from high tides and wild surf had left debris scattered along the beach, eaten away metres of sand dune, blocked beach access points and uncovered the famous Mudlo Rocks.

Gympie Regional council workers were busy trying to tidy up Rainbow's main beach yesterday as seas dumped truck loads of debris on the beach and eroded the 4WD access points.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has reopened sections of the Inskip Point camp grounds, a move Rainbow Beach Commerce and Tourism Leader Scott Elms said was positive.

“QPWS has opened up sections of the Inskip Point camp grounds and under the circumstances this is really good management. I believe the evacuation does differ from the previous evacuation and I believe the evacuation was warranted and I praise the QPWS and the LDMC for improving communications during this evacuation,” he said.

The EPA said following damage inspections they would reopen Freshwater camp ground, Teewah campground and Fraser Island from 7am today.

All Fraser Island and Cooloola walking tracks and Central Station campground would remain closed until further notice.

Originally published as Hamish hammers Cooloola Coast