Gold Coast businesses prepare for impact of Tropical Cyclone Oma

Businesses around the Gold Coast are doing all they can to prepare for the impact of Cyclone Oma even as doubts are raised about the tropical cyclone’s arrival.

BUSINESSES across the Gold Coast are bracing for the impact of Cyclone Oma even as meteorologists doubt it will make landfall.

Staff at the Burleigh Pavilion and its downstairs neighbour Rick Shores began preparations yesterday, removing expensive bi-fold windows and securing furniture.

The Pavilion’s general manager John Forest said he and his team were “not concerned” about the weather.

‘WE’RE REMOVING ANYTHING NOT BOLTED DOWN’

Staff at Rick Shores have already had to clean water out of the first floor restaurant. Picture: Jerad Williams

“We’ve done all our preparation, we’ve taken advice from manufacturers about our building and done all that,” he said.

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Though trading will continue as normal over the weekend, Mr Forest said he had heard several other businesses in the area scrambling to prepare.

The windows have been removed from the business to avoid further damage. Picture: Jerad Williams

“From what we understand from the business that actually put in our bifolds downstairs … they’ve been called by businesses they’ve done work for from Burleigh all the way to the Sunshine Coast to batten down the hatches,” he said.

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“It sounds like the whole eastern seaboard is preparing.”

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate called for people across the city to be prepared and follow council advice ahead of the tropical cyclone’s arrival.

“If it decides to come straight for the Gold Coast we’ve got to be prepared for it,” he said.

“For those people who live on the coastline, especially on high-rises, if you’ve got furniture on the balcony bring it in. I would say to get ready now.”