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Downgraded Oma moves from Queensland coast, leaving dangerous surf conditions

The threat to Queensland and NSW from ex-cyclone Oma is dwindling as it tracks away from the coast.

Dangerous beach conditions remain in Queensland and northern NSW despite cyclone Oma being downgraded to a sub-tropical low as it moves away from the coast.

The storm, located more than 800 kilometres off Brisbane and moving slowly southeast, will continue to bring abnormally high tides, damaging winds and large swells bringing beach erosion.

All Gold Coast beaches remain closed on Saturday.

Surf Life Saving Queensland has warned people in the state's southeast against swimming at closed beaches amid fears of complacency following the storm weakening.

Cyclone Oma is moving away from the east coast, but dangerous surf conditions are still forecast.
Cyclone Oma is moving away from the east coast, but dangerous surf conditions are still forecast. Source: AAP

The system intensified into a category two system as it moved south early on Saturday but was de-named after being downgraded by 11am after taking a more eastern turn.

"It's not really going to make a major impact on the Queensland coast," the Bureau of Meteorology's Michael Knepp told AAP.

"In fact, it's not even in Australian waters right now. It's in New Zealand water and it's actually moving further away from the coast.

While the cyclone is moving away, Queenslanders are being warned that dangerous surf conditions remain.
While the cyclone is moving away, Queenslanders are being warned that dangerous surf conditions remain. Source: AAP

"The only impact its got is some gale force winds along the coast, some high swells and that's about it for the moment.

"It's a little bit more eastwards than forecast so that's the reason why there's not as much rainfall as forecast."

Fears of increased bushfire conditions in southeast Queensland due to a lack of recent rainfall have also reduced as high fire-risk areas inland were not expected to receive strong winds.

The system was predicted to move north next week.


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