29 Dec 2011

Queensland beaches open again

8:53 am on 29 December 2011

Beaches on the Gold Coast of Queensland are open again, but people are being warned to swim strictly between the flags.

Heavy swell from ex-Tropical Cyclone Fina pounded the coast for four days.

Gold Coast chief lifeguard Warren Young says the dangerous conditions have eased but still are not perfect.

However, he says people should only swim in patrolled areas.

Gold Coast City Council says most beaches stood up well to erosion.

Meanwhile, all beaches on the Sunshine Coast are also open.

The ABC reports there were swells of up to four metres from Christmas Eve until Boxing Day and most beaches were closed to swimmers.