Gold Coast on the road to recovery as beaches and roads begin to open

Mayor Tom Tate said that 80 per cent of Gold Coast beaches will be open well before the April holidays. Read which ones are the first to be open again.

The cleanup is under way on the Gold Coast after Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred caused major erosion on its beaches. Tristan Kuusik, 8, from Estonia arrived on holidays and jumps off the sand cliffs in front of Jewel which council are advising against. Picture: Nigel Hallett.

Three of the Gold Coast’s famed beaches are now open with crews already starting the mammoth job of restoring the shores decimated by ex-tropical cyclone Alfred.

Mayor Tom Tate said flags are going in the sand at Greenmount, Coolangatta and Burleigh following an inspection of the beach.

“This is only 48 hours after I said this would happen,” he said. “So Gold Coasters - get back to enjoying their beach.”

Mr Tate said if blessed with good weather, the Gold Coast was going to get close to his prediction key beaches would be open well ahead of the Easter holidays.

“We’ll look at opening other beaches shortly after that because I want to have 80 per cent of our beach well in advance of the Easter holiday so the rest of Australia and New Zealand knows we’re open for business,” he said.

Other beaches may open depending on water quality assessments but Mr Tate advised to check conditions and heed life guard advice.

The city has been working with a contractor for a sand-dredging barge to begin work offshore as soon as possible with it en route but it’s likely to take another week to arrive.

The exact cost hasn’t been revealed but Mr Tate said the bill from a similar recovery in 2017 was $10 million.

“When you view that it's going to replenish 50 kilometres of beach … it will be the quickest and the cheapest way of restoring that beach front,” he said.

Large swells and high tides during the wild weather event have resulted in debris washing up Gold Coast beaches and loss of more than 80 per cent of their sand.

The refurbishment process started with 190 truckloads so far of sand from council’s stockpile to Surfers Paradise.

The cleanup is under way on the Gold Coast after Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred caused major erosion on its beaches. Erosion outside The Langham in Surfers Paradise. Picture: Nigel Hallett

Work has also begun in Main Beach and Narrowneck, with Mr Tate promising to improve access to southern beaches by Friday.

A Gold Coast City spokesperson said expect to see more machinery on beaches.

Eroded beaches haven’t kept visitors away but council had advised for people to stay away.

“We urge all residents and visitors to stay off all others beaches due to unstable and steep scarps,” the spokesperson said.

“People should avoid tunnelling into sand embankments as they can collapse without warning.”

Mr Tate had a similar message: “Don’t do it, it's dangerous. Those big trucks, they’re busy enough trying to do what they’re doing.

“It's very dangerous. Have a look at it but look from afar please.”

On the road to recovery

Gold Coast mayor Tom Tate with retired Colonel Justin O’Connor (left) who has been appointed State Recovery Coordinator for the response to ex-tropical cyclone Alfred. Picture: Emily Waker

Mr Tate shared that as of 10am Thursday, 23 roads were still closed and 18,000 Gold Coast homes without power however Energex has committed to having 100 per cent of power back by Saturday.

There is a minor flood warning in place for the Logan River however other river and creek levels are expected to continue to ease with no further flooding expected.

Roads and bridges will be inspected for safety before they’ve reopened.

Relief centres at Runaway Bay Indoor Stadium and Pimpama Sports Club will remain open from 8am to 5pm for medical equipment and essential communication devices only.

Three Waste and Recycle Centres open free for small businesses assisting residents to clear and dispose of their disaster green waste are available at Molendinar, Reedy Creek and Stapylton.

There are two temporary disaster waste disposal sites available in Suntown and Firth Park, with other sites for disaster related green and general waste open at Ormeau Sports Park, Tugun Village Community Centre and Carrara Sports Precinct.

Retired Colonel Justin O’Connor has been appointed State Recovery Coordinator for the response to ex-tropical cyclone Alfred.

Colonel (retd) O’Connor said the strong preparation by Queensland and its residents in the day prior to Alfred’s arrival meant there was no loss of life or missing persons in the state.

“The bad news is tens of thousands of Queensland residents and business remain negatively impacted by the effects of the tropical cyclone,” he said.

“However, Queensland has a very strong organisational and manpower capability to lead the recovery and the recovery from the impacts of the cyclone is well and truly underway.”

He is joined by former Brisbane councillor Peter Matic who will be working alongside as the Deputy State Recovery Coordinator.

“Queensland will be open for business much sooner than many people think,” Colonel (retd) O’Connor said.

“ If you’ve got a booking to come to Queensland to enjoy our tourism and other hot spots.

“Don’t change it, just come and you’ll be very pleasantly surprised with what you find.”

Originally published as Gold Coast on the road to recovery as beaches and roads begin to open