REMEMBER WHEN

GOLD COAST BULLETIN Thursday December 27, 2007

LIFESAVERS closed three beaches along the Tweed Coast and another four further south as warnings of a cyclone brewing in the Coral Sea were issued.

Surfers Paradise lifesavers renewed safety warnings after forecasters’ predictions that treacherous and blustery conditions in the surf would worsen.

Wild weather lashed the Coast with a potential cyclone developing from a low pressure system in the state’s central to southeast region. The cyclone, if it developed, was not expected to reach the coast but would deliver gale-force winds to central Queensland and the southeast corner.

Weather-watchers said the cyclone could develop.

“It’s quite possible by probably the start of the weekend we could see the low develop into a cyclone but it will probably remain out in the Coral Sea,” said forecaster Craig Mitchell.

“Those winds should bring with it some increasing swells and that will provide dangerous beach conditions.”

A choppy south-easterly swell and king tide conditions left half-metre sand cliffs along some parts of the shoreline at Duranbah Beach which, along with Cudgen and Cabarita, was one of three Tweed Shire beaches closed to swimmers.

Lifesavers were also forced to close Brunswick Heads, South Golden and Tallow beaches in Byron Shire and Sharps Beach at Ballina. Northern NSW lifeguard co-ordinator Stephen Leahy issued a warning urging people to take care.

“The red and yellow flags are very tight because there are lots of rips around,” said Mr Leahy.