Sinkhole halts traffic in Gold Coast’s busiest suburb

A large sinkhole has swallowed traffic cones and caused traffic chaos in the Coast’s busiest suburb.

A large sinkhole has opened up in Surfers Paradise with motorists urged to avoid the area.

A member of the public spotted the danger on the corner of Thomas Dr and Gold Coast Highway on Sunday afternoon.

The sinkhole opened on a recently upgraded strip of bitumen and is affecting traffic crossing the bridge to Chevron Island.

A sinkhole opens in Surfers Paradise. Photo: Steven Johnson

Local man Steven Johnson said he had tried to set up road cones but they had also been swallowed by the hole.

“(It’s) forming quickly,” he said.

“(I’ve) re-set up witches hats twice.”

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A sinkhole opens in Surfers Paradise. Photo: Steven Johnson

A Gold Coast Council spokesman said crews were called at 2.30pm and traffic control was in place at 4pm.

“As soon as we were notified of this, I immediately organised a road crew to attend,” director of transport and infrastructure Alton Twine said.

Police said they had not been notified of any traffic disturbance in the area.