'Pull your heads in': Bowen Councillor tells Debbie reporters to stay inside

A former Whitsunday mayor says TV journalists covering Cyclone Debbie are risking their lives and should 'pull their heads in' and stay inside.

SBS Queensland Correspondent Stefan Ambruster safe under cover. Source: SBS

A Whitsunday Shire councillor says television journalists covering Cyclone Debbie should "pull their heads in" and stay indoors for safety's sake.

Mike Brunker, who lives in Bowen and is also a former mayor of the region, said reporters were venturing outside against the advice of emergency services.

Watch SBS correspondent Stefan Armbruster  

He said anyone venturing outside was putting themselves in harm's way.

"If a sign flies off a guide post in 120km winds it'll just cut your head off and if that happens on live TV, how would you feel?"

Channel 7 and Channel 9 reporters out and about. Source: SBS/Channel7/Channel9

He called on broadcasters to take more care for their own sake and the sake of the public.

"You've got one goose down on the front beach here at Bowen, standing there getting blown away and people go for a drive then and go see where they are," Mr Brunker told AAP.