Boaters on notice after storms batter coastline

Marine Rescue NSW warned overnight that conditions on the water were still hazardous, with the north coast and the Illawarra continuing to be drenched in heavy rain.

Warnings have also gone out for debris washed into the seas as extensive erosion drags beachfront vegetation into the water.

The strong surges, generated by a slow-moving low-pressure system, may have also moved or washed away navigation markers.

The rough weather is expected to last several more days with warnings of more minor to moderate flooding as heavy rainfall and abnormally high tides and damaging surf continue to hit the area. 

Rivers in the area are yet to peak, with four-day rainfall totals almost hitting a metre in some areas.

The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a strong wind warning for the Hunter and Macquarie coasts today.

Meanwhile, the combination of storm surges, abnormally high tides, strong winds and currents, and rough seas have broken through narrow sections of dunes on the northern end of Queensland’s Bribie Island opposite Golden Beach.

The northern end of the island near Lions Park has been closed to vehicles due to the rough weather creating areas of steep and soft sand edges.

Any breakthrough and erosion of the narrow strip of sand at the northern end of Bribie Island poses a risk to nearby Golden Beach, which may be exposed to higher tides causing more flash flooding and erosion, and also expose Pumicestone Passage to more powerful waves as the passage silts up.

A warning for large swell and dangerous surf conditions is still active for the area. Boaters are warned to stay away, with the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service urging boaters to especially avoid landing on the western side of the reserve near the washover area to protect the fragile area from further erosion.

Boaters visiting the eatern side of the island have been warned to be on the lookout for deep washouts and gutters, hidden banks, fallen trees, exposed sections of Coffee Rock reef and WWII emplacements, and other large debris.

Sunshine Coast Council said northern Bribie Island had been “overtopped” during the inundation, with no permanent channel cut through the sand.

“Council’s management approach in this area includes regular monitoring, sand renourishment along Golden Beach, existing and planned protection structures such as rock walls and groynes,” it said in a statement.

"A groyne on the corner of Leichardt Street and The Esplanade, Golden Beach was upgraded in September.”

Meanwhile, the Currumbin Beach Surf Club on the Gold Coast was converted into a temporary island as surging seas washed around it earlier in the week.