Updated February 25, 2019 00:23:09
Surf lifesavers have rescued at least 30 people from dangerous surf on south-east Queensland's beaches as swimmers and surfers ignored their pleas to stay away. All Gold Coast beaches and most of those on the Sunshine Coast were closed on Sunday as the effects of ex-Tropical Cyclone Oma continued to be felt. ![]() A severe weather warning remains in place from Fraser Island to the New South Wales border for dangerous surf caused by the now sub-tropical low. Surf Life Saving's Jeremy Sturges said it was frustrating that the warnings were ignored. External Link:Surf Life Saving Queensland facebook video: This footage was taken at Coolangatta only moments after a male was treated for severe head injuries after being swept onto the rocks. Were pleading for people to use common sense and stay well away from the water if the beach is closed. "We've had eight incidents today on the Gold Coast alone ranging from surfers in distress, jet skiers in distress, windsurfers, and swimmers as well," he said. "We can only advise people to stay out of the water and away from the water's edge but you're going to get people who think they can cope with the conditions and that's where they're getting unstuck. "Winds are making the seas heavier, which is creating a much more dangerous ocean for us." One person had to be treated for head injuries after being swept onto rocks at Coolangatta. Sunshine Coast duty officer Sebastien De Paula said lifesavers had been kept busy overnight too. "We have had a number of rescues; we had four after-hours call-outs on Friday night, some surfers and then missing swimmers, and again another missing swimmer last night," he said. "Luckily all were found safe and well, but it is a reminder for people, please do not swim, and don't swim after dark." Experienced Sunshine Coast surfer Beau Kinnear spent the entire weekend enjoying the surf and large swells, but said Sunday's conditions had begun to deteriorate. "The winds have picked up, so we're having to be a little bit more cautious good for those who know how to surf," he said. "With the variety of people out there, it is mainly people with experience. Those that aren't seem to make their way back in pretty quick." Mr Kinnear said the surf was not for the faint-hearted, with rough conditions easily putting surfers and those around them in risky situations. "The main concern is you're going to injure yourself, injure someone else around, or then have to get a lifesaver to come and save you," he said. "Even guys who are really good at surfing are finding themselves getting into trouble." ![]() Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said people should stay off the beaches until they were deemed safe. "Thankfully, touch wood, this Cyclone Oma has now disappeared," she said. "There has been a lot of beach erosion that's happened along our coast. "So stay safe, stay off the beaches until the authorities say it's safe to go back on." ![]() Two cars swamped by the high tide at Currumbin on Saturday are yet to be moved from the flooded car park of the local surf club. Bureau of Meteorology forecaster Michael Knepp said waves of five metres were recorded along the coast. "Through the next few days we will start to see those conditions start to ease as ex-Tropical Cyclone Oma moves further away from the coast," he said. ![]() "Probably the worst conditions were over the last few days but we're starting to see those conditions ease so [it's] probably not the best beach-going weather today unless you're maybe a really experienced surfer. "I have heard that some surfers have said they've seen the best waves in 30 years upon some of the beaches." Topics:cyclone,storm-event,environmental-impact,brisbane-4000,maroochydore-4558,southport-4215,qld,australia,kirra-4225 First posted February 24, 2019 10:43:27 http://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-02-24/south-east-queensland-beaches-closed-as-ex-cyclone-oma-departs/10844006?source=rss
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Posted February 22, 2019 15:45:30
![]() South-east Queensland's bid to host the 2032 Olympics could fail without billions of dollars invested in roads and infrastructure. Key points:The Games are expected to bring 110,000 visitors and competitorsA new Olympic stadium would be needed, as well as several new regional venuesAn estimated shortfall of 62,000 rooms is predicted That is the grim prediction of an 18-month feasibility study, released on Friday by the region's mayors, assessing likelihood of a successful Olympic Games bid. The report estimated the 2032 Games would come at a cost to ratepayers of $900 million that's not inclusive of the billions of dollars needed for roads and public transport. However, Brisbane Lord Mayor and SEQ Council of Mayors chairman Graham Quirk told ABC Radio Brisbane the study showed the cost would be lower than that of the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games. He said the Olympic bid would be unsuccessful without crucial investment. "We cannot hold an Olympic Games if we don't build the infrastructure to keep up with population growth," he said. "An Olympic Games would set a catalyst, a line in the sand as to when infrastructure needed to be built by." About 3.4 million people currently live in South East Queensland an additional 1.8 million people are expected to call the region home by 2041. ![]() The report predicts the Olympic Games would bring an additional 100,000 visitors to the region as well as 10,500 competing athletes. Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said cost will be a major factor. "We have a tight budgetary situation that the Treasurer is well aware of and we have to give it due consideration," she said. "Let's see how much the Federal Government put in to that Sydney Olympics bid and let's have a look at the proposal." This is what is holding south-east Queensland back: Transport RACQ Chief Communications Officer, Paul Turner, said the current network would struggle to cope with population growth, let alone the influx of prospective Olympic visitors. "What I think the Olympics in 2032 does is actually give a focus and a lightning rod to something we should be doing anyway," he said. Future public transport upgrades like Cross River Rail and the Brisbane Metro are a necessity. ![]() So too is new road projects in the Brisbane area, upgrades of significant regional road corridors, light rail on the Sunshine Coast and the extension of the light rail on the Gold Coast. Furthermore, faster bus routes are needed through to Toowoomba, and faster rail links to Ipswich, the Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast. The RACQ flagged continued funding for major arterials like the Bruce Highway as a key priority. While the M1 held up during last year's Commonwealth Games, Mr Turner said: "It was only one major incident away from being a problem". "We need to have redundancies, we need to talk about alternatives to the M1 and the Bruce Highway." New regional venues ![]() Another major shortfall is the need for an Olympic-sized stadium, despite the report identifying 28 existing (or 60 per cent) of venues across south-east Queensland which do meet requirements. Brisbane would be the predominant hub, accounting for some 53 per cent of the venues. Cr Quirk said there was no doubt Brisbane needed an additional stadium, which could host at least 55,000 people, but he is keeping the finer details of the proposal close to his chest. "That would give our opponents down the track information. We do need a new stadium, there's no question about it," he said. The region would also need several more major indoor venues to host events like basketball, gymnastics and volleyball. It is expected venues would be spread around the region in Toowoomba, the Sunshine Coast, Logan and Moreton Bay. According to the study, a main media centre would also need to be built in Brisbane, with access to reliable public transport. 62,000 rooms needed ![]() The south-east corner also has a significant lack of accommodation with experts warning this could be difficult to overcome. About 81,000 rooms would be needed. By 2032 it is estimated facilities would fall well short with only 62,000 rooms available. Antonia Mercorella from the Real Estate Institute of Queensland (REIQ) said it would be difficult to see how the region could accommodate those numbers with the current supply. "What we don't want is something to be built in a rush and then to be left behind with something unattractive that permanently stays in our city." Housing the world's media will also be a significant issue. It is estimated 15,000 rooms will be needed for all the technical officials and media. The official bid is required to be complete by 2023, but Cr Quirk said a decision will need to be made next year if the group was to proceed. "We're going in with eyes wide open and there has to be discussions with federal and state governments before we get to the bid," Cr Quirk said. However, not all councillors are on board though. Greens councillor Jonathan Sri said it was not worth the cost, despite the loss estimated to be less than the expense of hosting the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games. "Hotel operators and big promoters will make a lot of money, but they won't be hiring local companies to run the big parts of the event," Cr Sri said. "You look at the pros and cons and it doesn't stack up financially and I hate to be a spoilsport but there are better ways to spend money to kick start an economy." Topics:regional-development,olympics-summer,housing,local-government,environmental-management,brisbane-4000,qld,maroochydore-4558,southport-4215,toowoomba-4350,mermaid-beach-4218 http://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-02-22/brisbane-olympic-bid-2032-how-capital-will-look/10837264?source=rss Poachers target protected freshwater crayfish for BBQ hotplates and aquarium trade, locals say4/16/2019 Posted April 13, 2019 05:00:00
Ecologists fear protected freshwater crayfish in south-east Queensland are being poached for food or sold as aquarium pets. Key points:There are reports that the Lamington Spiny Crayfish is being routinely poached from the Gold Coast hinterlandEcologists are concerned about the long-term future of the crayfish due to poaching and the impacts of climate changeThere is a $522 on-the-spot fine for anyone caught poaching the 'no-take' species The Lamington Spiny Crayfish is only found on a handful of mountains in south-east Queensland and northern New South Wales, including the Lamington Plateau and McPherson Range. Conservationist Ceris Ash, who lives at Springbrook on the Gold Coast hinterland, said she had encountered poachers numerous times. She said she had seen someone with an esky of about 15 of the crayfish. "They just thought that they were like any other yabby, they could take them take them home and stick them on the BBQ. "There have been traps found in the creeks, where people have made homemade yabby traps." The long-term Springbrook resident said she lectured people whenever she caught them in the act. Ms Ash suspected the vibrantly coloured invertebrates were either eaten or sold as pets. "I am pretty sure there are people out there with them in aquariums," she said. Poaching crays for pets Ecologist Clyde Wild said the species could grow up to 45 centimetres in length and weigh up to 1 kilogram. "They're very rare [at that size]. They'd be 40 or 50 years old probably by the time they reach that size," Dr Wild said. The former Professor of Environmental Biology at Griffith University said he had also witnessed poaching at Springbrook. ![]() "I've seen another incidence of someone with five or six of them in a bucket and they were going to take them home and put them in their aquarium," he said. "They won't live on the coast in a warm aquarium they're cold water specialists." The freshwater crayfish live in cold water streams above an altitude of 300 metres, and have been known to travel more than a kilometre over land between water sources. "This is the most likely species to leave the water of any freshwater crayfish in the world and it actually makes the animal vulnerable to people and predators." But Dr Wild said their claws could do some damage to the unsuspecting. "I've seen people with holes punched through their fingernails from trying to catch them the wrong way," he said. Threats to species' long-term future There are 135 species of freshwater crayfish in Australia and Dr Wild said the Lamington spiny crayfish was faring better than some other species. "It's actually doing quite well up here," he said. ![]() "Springbrook has regained a lot of vegetation over the last few decades." But Dr Wild said he was worried that the loss of larger crayfish would impact on the species' long-term future. "It's the large ones that breed. They're very slow growing," he said. "If the big ones are [taken] by poachers, the little ones might grow up and repopulate them, but they might get eaten by eels too." Vulnerable to predators Dr Wild said the crayfish only survived in cold water streams with overhanging rainforest trees that provided leaves their major source of food. "We're a bit concerned about climate change because they don't like warm water," he said. "Studies which we've done have shown that the water at the warmest time of the year here comes within about 2 degrees Celsius of their maximum tolerable temperature. "Above that they start losing their mechanical reactions, their defensive reactions. They're much more vulnerable to bird predation." Ms Ash said there was a hierarchy among the animals that lived in the same stream. "When they interact with another crayfish it's 'Am I going to fight you?' and they size each other up," she said. "They've got so much character, they've got those big clippers that they put out in front of them." ![]() Queensland's Department of Agriculture and Fisheries has listed all freshwater spiny crayfish as a 'no take' species and there is a $522 on-the-spot fine for anyone caught poaching them. A spokesperson from the Queensland Department of Environment and Science said there had been no reports of poaching inside the Springbrook National Park. The maximum penalty for taking crayfish from inside a national park is $391,650 or two years' imprisonment. While you're here are you feeling curious?Topics:ecology,animal-science,animals,environmental-management,animal-welfare,environmental-impact,springbrook-4213,griffith-university-4111,brisbane-4000 http://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-04-13/poachers-trapping-protected-freshwater-crayfish-in-queensland/10989548?source=rss Updated March 04, 2019 15:19:31
![]() The Australian humpback whale population has recovered from near-extinction linked to hunting, but new Queensland research warns that numbers could soon fall again due to the effects of climate change. Key points:Humpback whale species has recovered rapidly since commercial whaling ended in 1962, averaging a 10.9pc increase per yearResearchers remain worried the whale population may be overshooting the carrying capacity of the environment to maintain its numbersIf there was going to be a whale population crash, researchers say the modelling suggests it will be soon The University of Queensland (UQ) study monitored humpback whales migrating past North Stradbroke Island off Brisbane on the southern Queensland coast, over a 12-year period. Associate Professor Michael Noad said the species had recovered rapidly since commercial whaling ended in 1962, averaging a 10.9 per cent increase per year. "The good news is that the whales have recovered, but the bad news is that the whales don't seem to have realised that," he said. "Australian humpback whales were hunted to very, very low numbers almost completely wiped out by the early 1960s but since we've started [taking] surveys, the population has essentially been doubling every seven years or so. "The last survey in 2015 found that the population has essentially recovered back to our best guess of the population prior to whaling in the 1950s, reaching an estimated 25,000 whales." ![]() Despite the good news, Dr Noad feared the species still faced many threats. "We don't really know what is going to happen in the future, but we worry that the population may in fact be overshooting the carrying capacity of the environment to maintain that population, so we might see a spike in the population followed by a crash," he said. ![]() He said if there was going to be a crash, the modelling suggested it would be soon. "The thing that's most likely to have an impact on these whales is them starting to run out of krill in the Antarctic and we predict that to happen somewhere between 2021 and 2026," he said. "On one hand they're recovering quickly, but these whales are also threatened by climate change and its impact on Antarctic krill, their main food source." ![]() The most recent data was collected in 2015 by scientists observing whales from a platform at Point Lookout on North Stradbroke Island off Brisbane. "This is a fantastic place to monitor the whales because they come very close to the headland," Dr Noad said. "We know that about 80 per cent of the population passes within 5 kilometres of the headland, so they're easy to see it's a bit like counting sheep as they go through a gate." ![]() If there was a population crash, it could have several consequences for Queensland. "There'll certainly be fewer whales and those whales might be struggling you might be seeing sick calves not in good condition and that could have an impact on the east coast whale watching industry, which is worth more than $100 million to the economy," Dr Noad said. "We are very likely to see an increase in the number of strandings as well possibly sick whales beaching themselves, and also whales that die at sea will represent a shipping hazard." The research has been published in the scientific journal Population Ecology. ![]() First posted March 04, 2019 14:32:05 http://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-03-04/humpback-whale-migration-numbers-off-southern-queensland/10867396?source=rss Posted March 20, 2019 18:53:42
![]() The Queensland Government is being urged to expand the controversial practice of koala translocation, despite previous programs having a high mortality rate. Key points: The East Coomera translocation project had a 42 per cent mortality rateGold Coast City Council says the program "a success" as the mortality rate "very similar" to koalas not movedThe council said the impact of wild dogs was "higher than anticipated" Under present Queensland law, koala translocation, which involves relocating the animal to similar bushland, is only permitted if it is part of a scientific research program. The chair of the state's Koala Advisory Council, Mark Townend, has told 7.30 it should be made easier to move koalas, whose habitat is under threat, to similar bushland. "At the moment you can only put a koala back within 5 kilometres of where it came from," he said. "Why would you put them back in danger? We need to review that policy. "You've got all these admissions to wildlife hospitals of koalas because they're not mixing right with people, dogs or cars," he said. "So we need to try and review that policy." The comments have shocked leading koala researcher Professor Frank Carrick, who is worried a change in policy will encourage further destruction of koala habitats. He said translocation was highly risky and past programs had failed. "It's a zero-sum game. If you have x amount of habitat, you remove half of it, by and large the population in that region will decline by at least half, probably more," he said. "Shifting them around is the old classic, shifting the deck chairs on the Titanic." Currumbin Wildlife Hospital veterinarian Dr Michael Pyne said translocation was a useful tool, but only as a last resort. "Movement of koalas from one area to another in many cases is a necessary evil," he said. "When you've got young koalas that are dispersing and moving through urban areas, there's no choice but to try to find a better spot for them." ![]() The Queensland Government has announced a review of the translocation policy after it was revealed in State Parliament last August that the mortality rate for the project at East Coomera was 42 per cent. 7.30 can now reveal more details about the project, which relocated 180 koalas between 2009 and 2014. Documents obtained under Right to Information laws show the death rate was blamed on "unforeseen wild dog attacks". A scientific permit report from the council to Queensland's Environment Department in 2014 admitted "the impacts of wild dog predation were higher than anticipated in the early stage of the project". But despite the high death rate, the council argued the project was a success, as the mortality rate was "very similar" to the rate for koalas that were not moved. Under the heading "relocation success", the report said "at six months after relocation, approximately 80 per cent of koalas had survived and generally appeared to have coped with the initial stress". "At the 12-month mark, approximately 70 per cent of koalas in the relocation group had survived and had essentially become residents at the recipient sites," it said. The 2014 report also promised to submit "a series of research papers" that were "planned for preparation to scientific journals over the next two to three years". A Gold Coast council spokesman told 7.30 that the papers had yet to be submitted. But the council's 2014 report was already claiming significant scientific findings. "Koala relocation is a complex undertaking, but can be achieved with success in many cases where the koala is healthy, in good body condition, is at least 4 to 5 kilograms in weight and aged from two to around seven years," the report said. Critics say program 'a failure' ![]() Australians for Animals, which obtained the Right to Information documents, said the council was drawing a long bow. "It's really important to understand that these Coomera koalas were nationally significant," Australians for Animals coordinator Sue Arnold said. "They're the heartland of koalas in south-east Queensland and the translocations were a failure." Koala researcher Frank Carrick also remained sceptical about the council's claim of translocation success. "If that's their idea of success, I'd hate to see what failure looks like," he said. "If you accept at face value what we've been told, and it's on the basis of, 'trust us, we're politicians', then it's a pretty dismal outcome. "But we can't judge, because we don't have the actual data." Questions remain about East Coomera program The Right to Information documents show the sites where the 180 East Coomera koalas were resettled had not be surveyed since late 2014. However, the Gold Coast Council has confirmed to 7.30 that it commissioned further surveys of the translocation sites in the Lower Beechmont and Wongawallan conservation areas in November and December last year. "The report detailing the results of these surveys is currently being prepared and is expected to be presented to council in mid-2019," a council spokesman said. Queensland Environment Minister Leanne Enoch said she would wait to hear the final report from the Koala Advisory Council before making a decision. "That's why we've got a koala expert group a council an advisory council to provide all of that input to government to make sure we have the right policy that gives us the best practice is this area," she said. Watch the story tonight on 7.30. Topics:animals,human-interest,environmental-impact,environmental-management,environmental-policy,environment,coomera-4209,qld,australia http://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-03-20/controversial-koala-relocation-policy-urged-to-expand/10917602?source=rss Poachers target protected freshwater crayfish for BBQ hotplates and aquarium trade, locals says4/12/2019 Posted April 13, 2019 05:00:00
Ecologists fear protected freshwater crayfish in south-east Queensland are being poached for food or sold as aquarium pets. Key points:There are reporters that the Lamington Spiny Crayfish is being routintely poached from the Gold Coast hinterlandEcologists are concerned about the long-term future of the crayfish due to poaching and the impacts of climate changeThere is a $522 on-the-spot fine for anyone caught poaching the 'no-take' species The Lamington Spiny Crayfish is only found on a handful of mountains in south-east Queensland and northern New South Wales, including the Lamington Plateau and McPherson Range. Conservationist Ceris Ash, who lives at Springbrook on the Gold Coast hinterland, said she had encountered poachers numerous times. "I've seen actually someone had an esky of about 15 of them," she said. "They just thought that they were like any other yabby, they could take them take them home and stick them on the BBQ. "There have been traps found in the creeks, where people have made homemade yabby traps." The long-term Springbrook resident said she lectured people whenever she caught them in the act. Ms Ash suspected the vibrantly coloured invertebrates are either eaten or sold as pets. "I am pretty sure there are people out there with them in aquariums," she said. Poaching crays for pets Ecologist Clyde Wild said the species could grow up to 45 centimetres in length and weigh up to 1 kilogram. "They're very rare [at that size]. They'd be 40 or 50 years old probably by the time they reach that size," Dr Wild said. The former Professor of Environmental Biology at Griffith University said he had also witnessed poaching at Springbrook. ![]() "I've seen another incidence of someone with five or six of them in a bucket and they were going to take them home and put them in their aquarium," he said. "They won't live on the coast in a warm aquarium they're cold water specialists." The freshwater crayfish live in cold water streams above an altitude of 300 metres, and have been known to travel more than a kilometre over land between water sources. "This is the most likely species to leave the water of any freshwater crayfish in the world and it actually makes the animal vulnerable to people and predators." But Dr Wild said their claws could do some damage to the unsuspecting. "I've seen people with holes punched through their fingernails from trying to catch them the wrong way," he said. Threats to species' long-term future There are 135 species of freshwater crayfish in Australia and Dr Wild said the Lamington spiny crayfish was faring better than some other species. "It's actually doing quite well up here," he said. ![]() "Springbrook has regained a lot of vegetation over the last few decades." But Dr Wild said he was worried that the loss of larger crayfish would impact on the species' long-term future. "It's the large ones that breed. They're very slow growing," he said. "If the big ones are [taken] by poachers, the little ones might grow up and repopulate them, but they might get eaten by eels too." Vulnerable to predators Dr Wild said the crayfish only survived in cold water streams with overhanging rainforest trees that provided leaves their major source of food. "We're a bit concerned about climate change because they don't like warm water," he said. "Studies which we've done have shown that the water at the warmest time of the year here comes within about 2 degrees Celsius of their maximum tolerable temperature. "Above that they start losing their mechanical reactions, their defensive reactions. They're much more vulnerable to bird predation." Ms Ash said there was a hierarchy among the animals that lived in the same stream. "When they interact with another crayfish it's 'Am I going to fight you?' and they size each other up," she said. "They've got so much character, they've got those big clippers that they put out in front of them." ![]() Queensland's Department of Agriculture and Fisheries has listed all freshwater spiny crayfish as a 'no take' species and there is a $522 on-the-spot fine for anyone caught poaching them. A spokesperson from the Queensland Department of Environment and Science said there had been no reports of poaching inside the Springbrook National Park. The maximum penalty for taking crayfish from inside a national park is $391,650 or two years' imprisonment. Topics:ecology,animal-science,animals,fishing-aquaculture,environmental-management,animal-welfare,environmental-impact,springbrook-4213,griffith-university-4111,brisbane-4000 http://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-04-13/poachers-trapping-protected-freshwater-crayfish-in-queensland/10989548?source=rss Updated March 04, 2019 15:19:31
![]() The Australian humpback whale population has recovered from near-extinction linked to hunting, but new Queensland research warns that numbers could soon fall again due to the effects of climate change. Key points:Humpback whale species has recovered rapidly since commercial whaling ended in 1962, averaging a 10.9pc increase per yearResearchers remain worried the whale population may be overshooting the carrying capacity of the environment to maintain its numbersIf there was going to be a whale population crash, researchers say the modelling suggests it will be soon The University of Queensland (UQ) study monitored humpback whales migrating past North Stradbroke Island off Brisbane on the southern Queensland coast, over a 12-year period. Associate Professor Michael Noad said the species had recovered rapidly since commercial whaling ended in 1962, averaging a 10.9 per cent increase per year. "The good news is that the whales have recovered, but the bad news is that the whales don't seem to have realised that," he said. "Australian humpback whales were hunted to very, very low numbers almost completely wiped out by the early 1960s but since we've started [taking] surveys, the population has essentially been doubling every seven years or so. "The last survey in 2015 found that the population has essentially recovered back to our best guess of the population prior to whaling in the 1950s, reaching an estimated 25,000 whales." ![]() Despite the good news, Dr Noad feared the species still faced many threats. "We don't really know what is going to happen in the future, but we worry that the population may in fact be overshooting the carrying capacity of the environment to maintain that population, so we might see a spike in the population followed by a crash," he said. ![]() He said if there was going to be a crash, the modelling suggested it would be soon. "The thing that's most likely to have an impact on these whales is them starting to run out of krill in the Antarctic and we predict that to happen somewhere between 2021 and 2026," he said. "On one hand they're recovering quickly, but these whales are also threatened by climate change and its impact on Antarctic krill, their main food source." ![]() The most recent data was collected in 2015 by scientists observing whales from a platform at Point Lookout on North Stradbroke Island off Brisbane. "This is a fantastic place to monitor the whales because they come very close to the headland," Dr Noad said. "We know that about 80 per cent of the population passes within 5 kilometres of the headland, so they're easy to see it's a bit like counting sheep as they go through a gate." ![]() If there was a population crash, it could have several consequences for Queensland. "There'll certainly be fewer whales and those whales might be struggling you might be seeing sick calves not in good condition and that could have an impact on the east coast whale watching industry, which is worth more than $100 million to the economy," Dr Noad said. "We are very likely to see an increase in the number of strandings as well possibly sick whales beaching themselves, and also whales that die at sea will represent a shipping hazard." The research has been published in the scientific journal Population Ecology. ![]() First posted March 04, 2019 14:32:05 http://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-03-04/humpback-whale-migration-numbers-off-southern-queensland/10867396?source=rss Updated February 26, 2019 00:59:06
![]() Police say a man has drowned while swimming near Cylinder Beach on North Stradbroke Island off Brisbane on Monday, despite an easing of surf conditions after days of big swells from ex-Tropical Cyclone Oma. Key points:Critical care paramedics were unable to save a swimmer on North Stradbroke IslandNoosa Beach and many Gold Coast beaches have been seriously eroded by cyclonic swellGold Coast Mayor says the coastal damage could have been worse The man, described as a foreign national, got into difficulty while in the surf. Critical care paramedics worked on the man but he was pronounced dead on the beach. As the heavy coastal pounding from cyclonic swell finally begins to recede, authorities in southern Queensland are left to deal with serious beach erosion from the border to north of Bundaberg. Ex-Tropical Cyclone Oma has been downgraded to a tropical low and is now sitting safely in the Coral Sea. However, for much of the past week, councils from central Queensland to the New South Wales north coast have remained on high alert as the system moved towards the coastline. On the Sunshine Coast, Noosa Beach particularly prone to erosion has been all but washed away. 'We dodged a bullet' Along the Gold Coast, the big waves that swallowed beaches on the high tide pounded sand dunes and left sand cliffs in their wake with all the beaches on the Gold Coast remaining closed. However, Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate said the erosion could have been far worse. "I think we dodged a bullet on this one," he said. "We've been fortunate with Oma and the preparation we've done in the past. "We've got some scarping from Palm Beach, Burleigh, Surfers Paradise and Narrowneck." ![]() Dr Darrell Strauss from Griffith University's Centre for Coastal Management agreed many areas had escaped a more serious pounding. "Look, we'll see the beach recover relatively quickly on the upper beach, but what we can't see is what's going on offshore," he said. "There'll be a big storm bar out the back of the surf zone and once the waves stop breaking on that, it'll [sand] gradually move ashore. "It'll probably take a few months to recover." Authorities are urging people to stay away from sand cliffs which are at risk of collapsing. Earth-moving equipment will be sent to the worst-affected beaches in coming says to reprofile the sand. ![]() To better protect the southern Gold Coast, the council will begin building an artificial reef off Palm Beach the next month. The reef will be constructed from large rocks and will measure 180 metres in length and 80 metres in width. Councillor Tate said the reef would cost $18 million and take 18 months to construct. "It'll be quite a large structure, but we need it to make sure this portion of our beach is safe," he said. The artificial reef is expected to attract surfers and sea life, but fishing in the area will be banned. ![]() In Noosa, sand will be pumped to restore the famous beach along Hastings Street, and heavy equipment has been used to clear debris from the shoreline. Carl Billingham from Noosa Shire Council said erosion had pushed sand further north up the coastline. "We've got rock exposed at the moment and some of the sand has been taken out by the surf, but it's something we can easily fix in the next few weeks," he said. "We've put some handrails along there so that people don't fall off the edge of the rocks. "We did pump a lot of sand beforehand, which acted as a bit of a buffer." At Moore Park Beach, north of Bundaberg, local resident Russell Stewart said the beach and dunes along a 16-kilometre stretch of coastline had been heavily eroded over the past week. ![]() The community has been planting trees and shrubs for several years in a bid to protect the coast from erosion. Mr Stewart said environmental groups had relocated turtle nests, but that they believed some were still washed away by the large swells. "We've lost approximately half a metre off the top of some of the dune areas, especially towards the north, and it's moved the sand it didn't move it back to sea, it's mainly blown it over the top and in towards the Kolan conservation park," Mr Stewart said. "The waves came right across the top and brought sand right over the grass area [of the SLSC area] and has made more impact into the old surf club here, and the authorities really need to zone in and see what they're going to do with this area, and get moving on it before it becomes totally unsafe. "We've lost a number of turtle nests over Oma, the turtle watch group have worked tirelessly over the last week or so to try and relocate as many nests as they could but unfortunately we have had some losses, and that's nature I suppose." Topics:weather,cyclones,disasters-and-accidents,erosion,environment,qld,brisbane-4000,australia,dunwich-4183,surfers-paradise-4217,cooloola-4580,moore-park-4670,bundaberg-4670 First posted February 25, 2019 16:32:03 http://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-02-25/cyclone-oma-beach-erosion-drowning/10846778?source=rss Updated February 25, 2019 00:23:09
Surf lifesavers have rescued at least 30 people from dangerous surf on south-east Queensland's beaches as swimmers and surfers ignored their pleas to stay away. All Gold Coast beaches and most of those on the Sunshine Coast were closed on Sunday as the effects of ex-Tropical Cyclone Oma continued to be felt. ![]() A severe weather warning remains in place from Fraser Island to the New South Wales border for dangerous surf caused by the now sub-tropical low. Surf Life Saving's Jeremy Sturges said it was frustrating that the warnings were ignored. External Link:Surf Life Saving Queensland facebook video: This footage was taken at Coolangatta only moments after a male was treated for severe head injuries after being swept onto the rocks. Were pleading for people to use common sense and stay well away from the water if the beach is closed. "We've had eight incidents today on the Gold Coast alone ranging from surfers in distress, jet skiers in distress, windsurfers, and swimmers as well," he said. "We can only advise people to stay out of the water and away from the water's edge but you're going to get people who think they can cope with the conditions and that's where they're getting unstuck. "Winds are making the seas heavier, which is creating a much more dangerous ocean for us." One person had to be treated for head injuries after being swept onto rocks at Coolangatta. Sunshine Coast duty officer Sebastien De Paula said lifesavers had been kept busy overnight too. "We have had a number of rescues; we had four after-hours call-outs on Friday night, some surfers and then missing swimmers, and again another missing swimmer last night," he said. "Luckily all were found safe and well, but it is a reminder for people, please do not swim, and don't swim after dark." Experienced Sunshine Coast surfer Beau Kinnear spent the entire weekend enjoying the surf and large swells, but said Sunday's conditions had begun to deteriorate. "The winds have picked up, so we're having to be a little bit more cautious good for those who know how to surf," he said. "With the variety of people out there, it is mainly people with experience. Those that aren't seem to make their way back in pretty quick." Mr Kinnear said the surf was not for the faint-hearted, with rough conditions easily putting surfers and those around them in risky situations. "The main concern is you're going to injure yourself, injure someone else around, or then have to get a lifesaver to come and save you," he said. "Even guys who are really good at surfing are finding themselves getting into trouble." ![]() Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said people should stay off the beaches until they were deemed safe. "Thankfully, touch wood, this Cyclone Oma has now disappeared," she said. "There has been a lot of beach erosion that's happened along our coast. "So stay safe, stay off the beaches until the authorities say it's safe to go back on." ![]() Two cars swamped by the high tide at Currumbin on Saturday are yet to be moved from the flooded car park of the local surf club. Bureau of Meteorology forecaster Michael Knepp said waves of five metres were recorded along the coast. "Through the next few days we will start to see those conditions start to ease as ex-Tropical Cyclone Oma moves further away from the coast," he said. ![]() "Probably the worst conditions were over the last few days but we're starting to see those conditions ease so [it's] probably not the best beach-going weather today unless you're maybe a really experienced surfer. "I have heard that some surfers have said they've seen the best waves in 30 years upon some of the beaches." Topics:cyclone,storm-event,environmental-impact,brisbane-4000,maroochydore-4558,southport-4215,qld,australia,kirra-4225 First posted February 24, 2019 10:43:27 http://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-02-24/south-east-queensland-beaches-closed-as-ex-cyclone-oma-departs/10844006?source=rss Updated February 24, 2019 00:09:38
![]() Some of surfing's biggest names are making the most of the massive waves being caused by ex-tropical cyclone Oma, but other board riders are being warned to stay out of the water. The system, which has been downgraded from a category two to a sub-tropical low, is currently 700 kilometres east of Brisbane. A warning remains in place from Fraser Island to the New South Wales border for damaging winds, abnormally high tides, and dangerous surf. But that didn't stopped former world champion surfers Mick Fanning, Joel Parkinson and Mark Occhilupo who all hit the waves at Kirra on the Gold Coast on Saturday morning. Surf Life Saving Queensland's Jason Argent warned wannabes it was not worth it. ![]() "The average punter going out to catch big waves just because Mick Fanning is out there is probably not a good excuse," he said. "What you don't see from the photos and the media is that Mick Fanning has his own jet ski with an operator on there assisting him if he gets into trouble, whereas someone just paddling off the beach with their own board by themselves is obviously exposing themselves to a lot of risk". All beaches on the Gold Coast were closed on Saturday due to the wild conditions, while some of the more protected beaches on the Sunshine Coast are open. A rescue helicopter pulled a man from the surf on the Gold Coast after an incident with a jet ski. Eight people were also pulled from the water during dawn patrols this morning. Lifesavers said an overseas tourist was almost swept away while taking photos in ankle-deep water on a beach. External Link:Kids splashed by a wave at the Kings Beach ocean pool (ABC News: Bruce Atkinson) Mr Argent said the Gold Coast beaches were more affected and were "definitely a no-go". "Conditions are really dangerous and the winds are picking up again," he said. "On the Gold Coast the beaches are very exposed to the easterly swell and southerly winds whereas on the Sunshine Coast they have some protected pockets at places like Noosa and Mooloolaba." ![]() "On Thursday we did 45 rescues, and yesterday 10, with four reports of missing people in the surf last night who were later located. "We're pleading with the public to just take a little extra care and to not go out after hours as it's very dangerous." Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) senior forecaster Gabriel Brunescu said the system was staying well away from our shores. ![]() "The impact from the system is just the winds which will continue over the next two days. "Rainfall itself is not a big deal any more. We will struggle to see any rainfall on the south-east coast as the system moves away." Mr Brunescu said while it was turning north there was still uncertainty about exactly where Oma would go next week. "Later on the system is forecast to slowly recurve and potentially approaching the tropical north coast, and with all those systems up in the north there is a slight chance to reform or regain a tropical strength but we need to monitor it closely," he said. ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() First posted February 23, 2019 10:13:18 http://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-02-23/tropical-cyclone-oma-weakens-off-southern-queensland-coast/10839374?source=rss |
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