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Police declared an emergency under the Public Safety Preservation Act after a partial crane collapse during a severe storm on the Gold Coast on Christmas Day. Emergency services were called to the Gold Coast Highway at Southport about 3.15pm after reports that a crane and multiple power lines had been damaged.
Emergency declaration after crane damaged in Gold Coast storm
Police declared an emergency under the Public Safety Preservation Act after a partial crane collapse during a severe storm on the Gold Coast on Christmas Day.
Emergency services were called to the Gold Coast Highway at Southport about 3.15pm after reports that a crane and multiple power lines had been damaged. A Public Safety Preservation Act declaration was issued shortly before 4pm, establishing an exclusion zone covering the Gold Coast Highway, North Street, Loders Creek and the Broadwater.
Members of the public were urged to avoid the area, while residents inside the exclusion zone were advised to remain indoors unless directed otherwise by police.
The Queensland Ambulance Service confirmed no injuries were reported.
Emergency crews remained at the scene into Thursday evening, working to stabilise the area and address safety risks. Nearby properties, including a caravan park and an adjacent building, were evacuated as a precaution. Aerial footage showed upturned gazebos and minor storm damage at the caravan park.
The Bureau of Meteorology recorded wind gusts of up to 45 knots - more than 80 kilometres per hour - at the Gold Coast Seaway during the storm.
Thousands without power
Energy provider Energex said the "small but intense" storm cells caused widespread power outages across Brisbane, Somerset and the Gold Coast.
By 6.30pm, around 7,000 customers were without electricity across south-east Queensland. Energex reported approximately 15 power lines down in the Southport area, along with additional property damage. Crews were expected to begin restoration work once conditions were safe.
The Bureau of Meteorology issued a severe thunderstorm warning at 4.30pm, cautioning of damaging winds, large hail and heavy rainfall across parts of Brisbane, the Redlands, the Sunshine Coast and the South Burnett.
Further warnings were issued at 6pm as storms tracked north towards Gympie and Queensland's central coast, where intense rainfall remained a concern.
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