Fed: Qld, NSW beaches closed after tsunami scare

AAP General News (Australia)
04-02-2007
Fed: Qld, NSW beaches closed after tsunami scare

EDS: Closes off earlier take



BRISBANE, April 2 AAP - Queensland and NSW beaches were closed today after fears a
tsunami generated by a Solomon Islands earthquake could threaten Australia's east coast.

A 8.1-magnitude earthquake hit near the Solomon Islands at 6.40am (AEST).

Initial fears a tsunami could hit the Queensland coast have been quelled by Bureau
of Meteorology data but lifesavers said beaches had been closed anyway as a precaution.

Surf Lifesaving Queensland regional manager Peter Roulston said beaches were closed
between Port Douglas south to Townsville for the day, as well as beaches on the Sunshine
Coast, with lifesavers asking swimmers to leave the water.

Gold Coast City Council chief lifeguard Warren Young said beaches on the Gold Coast
had been closed but would most likely reopen at midday.

"We just feel it's best to err on the side of caution in this respect," he said.

"We have had a warning and I think it's in the interest of public safety to at least
take care and err on the side of caution."

Surf Lifesaving Australia (SLSA) said there had not yet been any reports of damage
or abnormal wave activity along the Queensland coast.

Beaches in NSW also were closed as a precaution.

SLSA national lifesaving manager Ben Whibley said it was the first time such action
had been taken.

"There is a tsunami precedent, but at this stage closing the beaches is a precautionary
measure," Mr Whibley said.

Waverley Council Mayor George Newhouse said he had been advised by the NSW State Emergency
Service (SES) it would be prudent to shut the area's beaches, including iconic Bondi.

"It's far better to be safe than sorry," he said.

The SES said it wasn't expecting destruction to the coastline, but warned it could
be dangerous for swimmers and boats with changes in water levels and strong and unpredictable
currents.

"It's just a precautionary thing, we are wanting to make sure there's nobody in the
water due to those unusual changes in sea level and currents," SES spokesman Philip Campbell
said.

"We are asking people to stay away from the beach, in particular not to be in the surf."

Small boat owners in estuarine areas and out to sea have also been asked to return
to land as quickly as possible, while people near coastal lakes, rivers and harbours have
been warned to stay out of the water.

AAP jmm/pjo/sk/nf/de

KEYWORD: QUAKE AUST BEACHES LEAD

2007 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.