The Gold Coast City Council is threatening beachgoers and surfers with a $16,000 fine as Cyclone Alfred slowly inches closer towards the coast.
The category 2 storm off the south-east Queensland coast has brought residents to the shoreline as the system causes intense surf conditions and destructive winds.
Queenslanders have parked their cameras while surfers have taken their boards out onto the water, despite beaches being shut and warnings of flash flooding and dangerous storm tide.
In Pictures: Cyclone Alfred spotted from space as it approaches Queensland coast
Authorities have recorded incidents of “close calls” and “near misses” as tidal surges from cyclonic winds cause erosion and waters to rise and sweep in within seconds.
The Gold Coast City Council said two people have required hospitalisation as a result of injuries obtained from being close to the water’s edge, rock walls and piers.
It has prompted a stern warning to residents that they may face a fine of up to $16,000 for reckless actions.
“Although the large waves may be exciting to witness, we need everyone to stay well away from coastal areas for your own safety. No photograph or video is worth your life,” a Gold Coast City spokesperson said.
“Increasing winds will see conditions deteriorate further and conditions become more dangerous.
“We have seen several people involved in incidents because of the hazardous surf conditions including falls from rock walls and being swept out in the surf.”
Surf Life Saving Queensland lifesaving services manager Natalie Edwards also warned residents not to visit the beach or enter the water.
“We are experiencing erosion along Gold Coast beaches already that has created cliff drops of up to two metres in highly populated areas of Surfers Paradise, Main Beach down to Burleigh and Coolangatta,” she said.
“Now is not the time to head to the beach for a look, especially with young children who may be pulled out by the fast moving tides that are encroaching on walkways and areas that normally would be far from the water.
“Please don’t put at risk emergency services personnel because you want to venture out in these conditions.”
Police, who have additional powers under the disaster declaration, will be patrolling coastal locations to prevent any dangerous behaviour.
Cyclone Alfred is moving at a slow seven km/h towards the southeast coast and is expected to make landfall early Saturday morning, likely between Noosa and Coolangatta.
It is currently out at sea, about 245 kilometres east of Brisbane and 230 kilometres east northeast of the Gold Coast.
The system is bringing winds of up to 95 km/h and will affect residents from Double Island Point in Queensland to Grafton in New South Wales, including Brisbane, the Gold Coast, the Sunshine Coast, Byron Bay and Ballina but excluding Grafton.
