Whitsunday Regional Council closes Airlie Beach Lagoon in response to safety threat

With the rumour mill running wild about the sudden closure of a popular Whitsunday swimming spot, we can reveal the real reason emergency services were called to the area.

Airlie Beach Lagoon was closed to the public for several hours on Wednesday as Whitsunday Regional Council called police in to respond to a safety threat.

The council announced the closure of the popular foreshore swimming facility at 2.55pm after a swimmer reported to life guards that he found several fish hooks in the lagoon.

Police and council staff conducted a full sweep of the pool and surrounding area, finding nothing further, and reopening the lagoon about 5pm.

Community members were concerned by the sudden closure of the lagoon during the busy school holiday period. Picture: File

Whitsunday Police Acting Officer-In-Charge Sergeant Mark Flynn confirmed police attended the incident but said it was not being treated as a criminal matter.

A Queensland Ambulance Service spokeswoman confirmed paramedics attended an incident on Shute Harbour Road at Airlie Beach at 3.33pm on Wednesday, transporting a patient to Proserpine Hospital in a stable condition.

The incident is not believed to be connected to the lagoon closure, with QAS describing it as a “possible marine envenomation”.