Gold Coast beaches badly eroded after huge waves pound southeast Queensland over weekend

Gold Coast beaches have been left badly eroded after huge waves produced by an east coast low belted the coastline.

Gold Coast beaches have been left badly eroded after huge waves produced by an east coast low belted the coastline over the weekend.

Photos show the extent of damage on city beaches, with significant scarping visible at Northcliffe and other popular swimming spots.

Alexis Phelps, 21, from Surfers Paradise at Northcliffe on Monday. Picture: Glenn Hampson

But Gold Coast City Council believes beaches have fared fairly well in the circumstances.

“Beaches have held up well, but there is some scarping in the usual places, particularly Narrowneck,” a spokesperson said.

BIG WAVE SURFER SNAPPED TACKLING BURLEIGH MONSTER

“Our Maintenance crews will be out doing works in coming days and monitoring the situation closely.

“The crews have already started to undertake initial works of sand replenishment and erosion in the affected areas.”

Beaches have opened on Monday, but the council has urged surfers, swimmers and other beachgoers to be wary of “extra debris” in the water.

“It’s important for everyone to listen to our lifeguards and swim between the flags,” the spokesperson said.

Photos: Latest on beach access as huge swells and erosion hit

July 24: Gold Coast beaches will remain closed to swimming on Sunday as huge waves continue to smash the coastline.

A Gold Coast City Council spokeswoman said the decision to keep beaches closed came as a hazardous surf warning remained in place with a two to three metre ocean swell predicted.

The council is expected to reassess beaches again on Monday morning.

“Some roads were closed due to flooding but are now reopening,” the spokeswoman said.

“Make sure you drive to conditions, watch out for hazards, and remember that if it’s flooded, forget it.”

IN PICTURES: Huge swell hits Gold Coast

VIEW GALLERY

The worst hit areas for coastal erosion were Main Beach at Narrowneck and Duranbah.

Beaches were largely deserted on Saturday, but experienced surfers braved the swell from Greenmount Beach through to North Kirra.

The biggest surf was at Kirra and Burleigh Heads - with the latter being tow-in surfing only.

In Burleigh, onlookers rushed to the aid of a jet ski rider who ran into trouble.

The rider and his jet ski washed up on rocks at Burleigh Heads about 11.15am Saturday.

Thankfully, the rider escaped injury and onlookers cheered as he eventually freed the watercraft from the rocks.

The low pressure system that had been sitting over southeast Queensland and northern NSW started heading north, taking the rain with it.

Sunshine is forecast for Sunday and over the next week.

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Originally published as Gold Coast beaches badly eroded after huge waves pound southeast Queensland over weekend