Full-scale mission to repair Gold Coast beaches after ex-tropical cyclone Oma

Council is set to begin a full-scale mission to repair the Gold Coast’s beaches in the wake of ex-tropical cyclone Oma.

A FULL-scale mission to repair the Gold Coast’s beaches in the wake of ex-tropical Oma will begin tomorrow.

Council is set to deploy trucks and machinery to fix the city’s battered beaches which have been heavily eroded by the significant swell but saw experienced surfers hit the waves in droves.

The heavy swells and 20-30 knot winds hitting the Coast over the weekend is expected to settle today and tomorrow, with showers expected throughout the week.

Winds were so high yesterday that the seaway was closed to the public, with guards put on duty to prevent locals and tourists from attempting to walk onto the seawall.

An unapologetic Mayor Tom Tate said the tourist destination was closed to protect the public

Spectators watch surfers at Kirra as tropical cyclone Oma brings big swell. Picture by Luke Marsden.

“We cannot risk having people on the seaway wall or rock walls as the gusts remain unpredictable,” he said.

“It is pointless having machinery on the beaches until Tuesday. By then, we should be able to access all beaches and clean up the scarping.

“Indications are that any sand lost in this event has been deposited out behind the main surf break. Over the next six to 12 months, it should return to the foreshore through normal ocean movements.”

The worst erosion was recorded at Main Beach and Narrowneck, where council workers last week desperately worked to minimise damage to the area.

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Beaches remained closed last night but will be reassessed again this morning.

Oma was downgraded to a tropical low-pressure system late on Saturday as it drifting into the South Pacific.

It is expected to change course again in the coming days.

Council’s local disaster management unit remains on alert, with its status expected to be reassessed this morning.

Windy and wild weather caused a houseboat to wash up at The Spit. Picture, John Gass

Light showers are expected to fall on the Gold Coast this week after Oma brought no rainfall to the city.

Weather bureau meteorologist Michael Knepp said the small amount of rain in the last few days couldn’t be attributed to the cyclone.

“There’s been nothing from Oma, all the rain has come from offshore so there hasn’t really been much from there,” he said.

“Some places had 2mm, some places had 1mm, some places had none, it’s just a random scattering of numbers.”

The heavy swell also saw flooding in low-lying areas including Currumbin Surf Life Saving Club where cars were dragged across the carpark by the water.

Beaches were closed throughout the weekend. Picture, John Gass

But as surfers enjoyed the bank at Snapper Rocks, a man was treated for severe head injuries after being swept onto the rocks.

Surf Life Saving Queensland Gold Coast duty officer Jeremy Sturges said clubbies had been kept busy with the large swells Oma had bought to the city.

“We’ve had 8 incidents today on the Gold Coast alone ranging from surfers in distress to jet skis in distress, also windsurfers and obviously swimmers as well,” he said.

The Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast also saw five incidents after hours.

Mr Sturges said beaches had been packed with people despite the warnings to avoid the water.

“There are a lot of surfers and a lot of jet skis as well on the open beaches,” he said.

“It is (frustrating) We can only advise for people to stay out of the water and away from the water’s edge, however you’re going to get people who think they can cope with the conditions and they’re going to go out and that’s where they’re getting unstuck.

Teens flirt with danger as huge swell hits Snapper Rocks. Picture: NIGEL HALLETT

“It is a very dangerous, very fast moving and very powerful thing so stay clear.”

Mr Sturges said the powerful swells have not only endangered the lives of the public but also the life savers themselves.

“It is unsafe for our members, however if there’s someone out there we’ve got to reassess and go from there,” he said.

The beaches will be reassessed today and tomorrow, but Mr Sturges said it could not be guaranteed when the beaches will reopen.