Popular Gold Coast beach closed to swimmers

A POPULAR Gold Coast estuary has been closed by lifeguards due to safety concerns for swimmers.

A lifeguard puts up warning signs on Tallebudgera Creek beach after stormwater outflows pollute the pristine waters with debris, causing a hazard to swimmers. Picture Glenn Hampson

STORM water run-off has lead lifeguards to close Tallebudgera Creek to swimmers following heavy rains.

Surf Life Saving Queensland Gold Coast co-ordinator Nathan Fife said lifeguards closed the popular estuary to swimmers today as a precaution.

In the past 24 hours, Coastal suburbs have copped more than 100mm of rain, while Hinterland suburbs took a back seat where rainfall measured up to 70mm.

“Lifeguards closed it because they have safety concerns about the amount of debris going out with the tide,” Mr Fife said.

“It’s just from the rain, the water’s a little dirty because there’s a lot of farms upstream.”

Warning signs are up on Tallebudgera Creek beach after stormwater outflows pollute the pristine waters with debris, causing a hazard to swimmers. Picture Glenn Hampson

Mr Fife urged swimmers to take care if entering the water after storms.

“There’s a lot of debris in the water and a lot of stuff on the bottom that you can’t see, so you’ve really got to be careful going into the water,” he said.