Strong winds and powerful surf have prompted warnings to beachgoers and the removal of shark nets amid concerns they could become dislodged.
Likely thunderstorms on Thursday night were expected to precede some rough days on the shoreline.
A large and powerful swell, up to 5m offshore and 3m nearshore, and winds up to 40km/h are set to rattle the region’s beaches from Thursday until Monday.
Surf Life Saving Queensland has reminded people to take care, while the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries has started to remove shark nets because they could become displaced and endanger beachgoers.
Sunshine Coast lifesaving services coordinator Shane Urban said there would be dangerous conditions and some beaches could be closed.
“We’ll be monitoring the large swell and the wind, as they will cause some areas of concern along the coastline,” he said.
“It’s important that locals and visitors take heed.
“If you see a red flag, take the advice of not swimming. If lifeguards have to come to rescue you, they are also put at risk, so if the red flags are up, please don’t swim.”
Mr Urban said there could be unseen dangers.
“The large amounts of water coming in needs to go back out to sea, so we’re going to have rips, particularly along the Kawana stretch and Coolum-Sunshine stretch.
“An area I’m asking people to be very wary of is Happy Valley, as big swells and tides can create dangerous conditions there.”
Lifesavers and lifeguards recently implemented new surveillance there “as a result of the tragedies that have happened in the past couple of years”.
Mr Urban said Noosa and Mooloolaba were preferred locations for swimmers.
Shark nets removed
Contractors on Thursday started removing shark nets from Noosa, Coolum, Marcoola, Maroochydore, Alexandra Headland, Mooloolaba, Wurtulla Beach and Caloundra.
Fisheries Minister Mark Furner said the nets were being removed as a precaution.
“Our top priority is to ensure swimmers and beach users are safe,” he said via a media statement.
“When weather conditions are unpredictable the department assesses the risk and, in this case, the safest decision is to remove the nets from the designated beaches.”
Mr Urban said it was a positive move.
“It’s great that they are doing that,” he said.
“It’s a good thing the department is proactive regarding the safety of the public, with the possibility of a shark net or buoy coming adrift with the inclement weather.”
He said it was a relatively common response to remove the nets when there is rough weather on the way.
‘Epic’ surfing conditions
Mr Urban said experienced surfers would make the most of the big swell.
“There’s going to be epic surfing conditions,” he said.
“There is going to be some cracking waves coming off Boiling Pot at Noosa, which will draw a lot of people, so car parking is going to be a bit of an issue in Noosa.
“But there will also be good waves at Moffat’s and Point Cartwright.
“For the less experienced board riders, it’s a great opportunity to sit on a headland and watch the experienced guys.
“But even more experienced surfers should take heed and know their limitations.”
Multiple systems at work, erosion possible
A combination of weather systems could combine to magnify the wild weather on the Sunshine Coast in coming days.
Bureau of Meteorology communication officer Daniel Hayes told Sunshine Coast News a high-pressure system and two low-pressure systems could be in play.
“There has been a big high-pressure system in the (Great Australian) Bight, driving strong winds and the swell has been building around Tasmania and New South Wales,” he said.
“As that high moves to the east, we’re looking at the swell pushing up the coast towards Queensland.
“There is also the potential, on Friday, of the remnants of ex-Tropical Cyclone Lola coming south and approaching Norfolk Island, and a low-pressure trough coming across Queensland, pushing to the east. Those two low-pressure systems could combine and interact with the high-pressure system and increase the winds and swell.”
Mr Hayes also said there could be showers and thunderstorm activity “moving through” with the systems.
The big waves and strong winds are set to combine with high tides each morning, which could batter local beaches, including the volatile Pumicestone Passage.
It could shift sand banks within the passage and further impact the water flow in the area and either open parts of the passage of further close off sections of the waterway.
