Taxi drivers vow weekend chaos

Taxi drivers protesting at Melbourne Airport have clashed with police and security staff.

UPDATE: PASSENGERS could face chaos getting from Melbourne Airport this weekend with hundreds of taxi drivers vowing to refuse customers.

Up to 300 taxi drivers protested at the airport today over the axing of "short-fare queues" and said they will continue the rally at 8am on Monday.

Violent clashes erupted during the protest as overwhelmed Australian Federal Police and airport security struggled to control the angry drivers.

Critical Incident Response police were called in after several scuffles broke out between security and protesters, who rallied near the arrivals terminal.

During the protest, departing passengers were still able to access the terminal, but the arrivals terminal was partially affected causing minor delays.

Up to 300 taxi drivers protested over the axing of short-queue fares at Melbourne Airport.

Melbourne Airport arranged extra buses to transport arriving passengers to Southern Cross station.

Many cab drivers chose to continue working and were able to access the airport's cab ranks, helping to ease commuter chaos.

Protesters said they want to confront airport management about scrapping short-fare queues, saying they were being treated like "slaves".

Driver Lou Burgess urged the airport to restore the system.

"You wait two hours to get a $40 fare, work it out. There are guys here that won't eat tonight," he said.

 Driver Ayush Sethi said the airport was exploiting underpaid drivers.

"We work for 2 hours and get an $8 fare, it's not fair. They treat us like slaves, like dogs," he said.

"We work for $8 an hour and they're further exploiting us on top of that."

Shiv Bhambri said cab drivers who continued to work should have joined them in the protest.

"We're protesting and they're allowing those cabs to pick up directly from the terminal, and we have been waiting here for almost three hours," he said.

Victorian Taxi Association CEO David Samuel said the VTA  wanted to sit down with Melbourne Airport and discuss the issue.

"Obviously it is difficult for Melbourne Airport to meet today because there is a lot going on but once tensions calm down we hope we can sit there with them and perhaps some drivers and have sensible discussion," he said.

The drivers gathered after a text message encouraged them to block entrances at Tullamarine between 10am and noon.

The airport axed its short-fare queue on Wednesday, after it was claimed it was allegedly rorted by about 200 drivers a day.

A taxi driver is held by a police officer at the protest at Melbourne Airport.

The text message read: "We can't just be quiet and accept this abuse. I ask every taxi driver to please come to the airport on Friday 3rd of May at 10am and block all entries to airport until our voice is heard."

The Herald Sun understands a hand-written flyer was also being handed out.

Previously, drivers who waited in the airport's holding yard at Tullamarine and picked up a passenger going to a nearby destination, had been allowed to return to the airport, bypass the yard and head straight to the terminal taxi rank.

Now, all cabbies must head to the holding yard.

The taxi driver is led away by police.

Taxi drivers earn an average of $12 an hour. It is illegal to refuse a short fare.

Melbourne Airport spokeswoman Anna Gillett said the airport had consulted the industry before implementing the changes and initial feedback showed taxis queueing times in peak periods had fallen by up to 20 minutes.

"Ultimately, the uninterrupted flow of taxis from the normal queuing system now means that all taxis wait for less time," she said.

Professor Allan Fels urged the State Government to respond to his report into the troubled industry.

"These problems would be less likely to arise if there were a decision on the taxi report. That report includes recommendations in increases in short fares and decreases in long fares,’’ Prof Fels said today.

The taxi drivers have vowed to continue their protest at Melbourne Airport.

Tourism Minister Louise Asher said she was greatly concerned about the blockade.

"The airport is a major tourism asset for Victoria. It is 24 hour. It is curfew-free," Ms Asher said.

"We don’t need this today. I think people can talk sensibly, talk rationally but to actually stop people getting in and out - that is not the way you resolve a dispute."

With Amelia Harris

View the original article here

Taxi drivers vow weekend chaos

Taxi drivers protesting at Melbourne Airport have clashed with police and security staff.

UPDATE: PASSENGERS could face chaos getting from Melbourne Airport this weekend with hundreds of taxi drivers vowing to refuse customers.

Up to 300 taxi drivers protested at the airport today over the axing of "short-fare queues" and said they will continue the rally at 8am on Monday.

Violent clashes erupted during the protest as overwhelmed Australian Federal Police and airport security struggled to control the angry drivers.

Critical Incident Response police were called in after several scuffles broke out between security and protesters, who rallied near the arrivals terminal.

During the protest, departing passengers were still able to access the terminal, but the arrivals terminal was partially affected causing minor delays.

Up to 300 taxi drivers protested over the axing of short-queue fares at Melbourne Airport.

Melbourne Airport arranged extra buses to transport arriving passengers to Southern Cross station.

Many cab drivers chose to continue working and were able to access the airport's cab ranks, helping to ease commuter chaos.

Protesters said they want to confront airport management about scrapping short-fare queues, saying they were being treated like "slaves".

Driver Lou Burgess urged the airport to restore the system.

"You wait two hours to get a $40 fare, work it out. There are guys here that won't eat tonight," he said.

 Driver Ayush Sethi said the airport was exploiting underpaid drivers.

"We work for 2 hours and get an $8 fare, it's not fair. They treat us like slaves, like dogs," he said.

"We work for $8 an hour and they're further exploiting us on top of that."

Shiv Bhambri said cab drivers who continued to work should have joined them in the protest.

"We're protesting and they're allowing those cabs to pick up directly from the terminal, and we have been waiting here for almost three hours," he said.

Victorian Taxi Association CEO David Samuel said the VTA  wanted to sit down with Melbourne Airport and discuss the issue.

"Obviously it is difficult for Melbourne Airport to meet today because there is a lot going on but once tensions calm down we hope we can sit there with them and perhaps some drivers and have sensible discussion," he said.

The drivers gathered after a text message encouraged them to block entrances at Tullamarine between 10am and noon.

The airport axed its short-fare queue on Wednesday, after it was claimed it was allegedly rorted by about 200 drivers a day.

A taxi driver is held by a police officer at the protest at Melbourne Airport.

The text message read: "We can't just be quiet and accept this abuse. I ask every taxi driver to please come to the airport on Friday 3rd of May at 10am and block all entries to airport until our voice is heard."

The Herald Sun understands a hand-written flyer was also being handed out.

Previously, drivers who waited in the airport's holding yard at Tullamarine and picked up a passenger going to a nearby destination, had been allowed to return to the airport, bypass the yard and head straight to the terminal taxi rank.

Now, all cabbies must head to the holding yard.

The taxi driver is led away by police.

Taxi drivers earn an average of $12 an hour. It is illegal to refuse a short fare.

Melbourne Airport spokeswoman Anna Gillett said the airport had consulted the industry before implementing the changes and initial feedback showed taxis queueing times in peak periods had fallen by up to 20 minutes.

"Ultimately, the uninterrupted flow of taxis from the normal queuing system now means that all taxis wait for less time," she said.

Professor Allan Fels urged the State Government to respond to his report into the troubled industry.

"These problems would be less likely to arise if there were a decision on the taxi report. That report includes recommendations in increases in short fares and decreases in long fares,’’ Prof Fels said today.

The taxi drivers have vowed to continue their protest at Melbourne Airport.

Tourism Minister Louise Asher said she was greatly concerned about the blockade.

"The airport is a major tourism asset for Victoria. It is 24 hour. It is curfew-free," Ms Asher said.

"We don’t need this today. I think people can talk sensibly, talk rationally but to actually stop people getting in and out - that is not the way you resolve a dispute."

With Amelia Harris

View the original article here

Taxi drivers vow weekend chaos

Taxi drivers protesting at Melbourne Airport have clashed with police and security staff.

UPDATE: PASSENGERS could face chaos getting from Melbourne Airport this weekend with hundreds of taxi drivers vowing to refuse customers.

Up to 300 taxi drivers protested at the airport today over the axing of "short-fare queues" and said they will continue the rally at 8am on Monday.

Violent clashes erupted during the protest as overwhelmed Australian Federal Police and airport security struggled to control the angry drivers.

Critical Incident Response police were called in after several scuffles broke out between security and protesters, who rallied near the arrivals terminal.

During the protest, departing passengers were still able to access the terminal, but the arrivals terminal was partially affected causing minor delays.

Up to 300 taxi drivers protested over the axing of short-queue fares at Melbourne Airport.

Melbourne Airport arranged extra buses to transport arriving passengers to Southern Cross station.

Many cab drivers chose to continue working and were able to access the airport's cab ranks, helping to ease commuter chaos.

Protesters said they want to confront airport management about scrapping short-fare queues, saying they were being treated like "slaves".

Driver Lou Burgess urged the airport to restore the system.

"You wait two hours to get a $40 fare, work it out. There are guys here that won't eat tonight," he said.

 Driver Ayush Sethi said the airport was exploiting underpaid drivers.

"We work for 2 hours and get an $8 fare, it's not fair. They treat us like slaves, like dogs," he said.

"We work for $8 an hour and they're further exploiting us on top of that."

Shiv Bhambri said cab drivers who continued to work should have joined them in the protest.

"We're protesting and they're allowing those cabs to pick up directly from the terminal, and we have been waiting here for almost three hours," he said.

Victorian Taxi Association CEO David Samuel said the VTA  wanted to sit down with Melbourne Airport and discuss the issue.

"Obviously it is difficult for Melbourne Airport to meet today because there is a lot going on but once tensions calm down we hope we can sit there with them and perhaps some drivers and have sensible discussion," he said.

The drivers gathered after a text message encouraged them to block entrances at Tullamarine between 10am and noon.

The airport axed its short-fare queue on Wednesday, after it was claimed it was allegedly rorted by about 200 drivers a day.

A taxi driver is held by a police officer at the protest at Melbourne Airport.

The text message read: "We can't just be quiet and accept this abuse. I ask every taxi driver to please come to the airport on Friday 3rd of May at 10am and block all entries to airport until our voice is heard."

The Herald Sun understands a hand-written flyer was also being handed out.

Previously, drivers who waited in the airport's holding yard at Tullamarine and picked up a passenger going to a nearby destination, had been allowed to return to the airport, bypass the yard and head straight to the terminal taxi rank.

Now, all cabbies must head to the holding yard.

The taxi driver is led away by police.

Taxi drivers earn an average of $12 an hour. It is illegal to refuse a short fare.

Melbourne Airport spokeswoman Anna Gillett said the airport had consulted the industry before implementing the changes and initial feedback showed taxis queueing times in peak periods had fallen by up to 20 minutes.

"Ultimately, the uninterrupted flow of taxis from the normal queuing system now means that all taxis wait for less time," she said.

Professor Allan Fels urged the State Government to respond to his report into the troubled industry.

"These problems would be less likely to arise if there were a decision on the taxi report. That report includes recommendations in increases in short fares and decreases in long fares,’’ Prof Fels said today.

The taxi drivers have vowed to continue their protest at Melbourne Airport.

Tourism Minister Louise Asher said she was greatly concerned about the blockade.

"The airport is a major tourism asset for Victoria. It is 24 hour. It is curfew-free," Ms Asher said.

"We don’t need this today. I think people can talk sensibly, talk rationally but to actually stop people getting in and out - that is not the way you resolve a dispute."

With Amelia Harris

View the original article here

Taxi drivers vow weekend chaos

Taxi drivers have threatened to block entrances to Melbourne Airport to protest against new cab rank rules.

UPDATE: PASSENGERS could face chaos getting from Melbourne Airport this weekend with hundreds of taxi drivers vowing to refuse customers.

Up to 300 taxi drivers protested at the airport today over the axing of "short-fare queues" and said they will continue the rally at 8am on Monday.

Scuffles broke out during the protest as overwhelmed Australian Federal Police and airport security struggled to control the angry drivers.

Critical Incident Response police were called in to help control protesters, who rallied near the arrivals terminal.

During the protest, departing passengers were still able to access the terminal, but the arrivals terminal was partially affected causing minor delays.

Up to 300 taxi drivers protested over the axing of short-queue fares at Melbourne Airport.

Melbourne Airport arranged extra buses to transport arriving passengers to Southern Cross station.

Many cab drivers chose to continue working and were able to access the airport's cab ranks, helping to ease commuter chaos.

Protesters said they wanted to confront airport management about scrapping short-fare queues, saying they were being treated like "slaves".

Driver Lou Burgess urged the airport to restore the system.

Taxi drivers protesting at Melbourne Airport have clashed with police and security staff.

"You wait two hours to get a $40 fare, work it out. There are guys here that won't eat tonight," he said.

Driver Ayush Sethi said the airport was exploiting underpaid drivers.

"We work for 2 hours and get an $8 fare, it's not fair. They treat us like slaves, like dogs," he said.

"We work for $8 an hour and they're further exploiting us on top of that."

A taxi driver is held by a police officer at the protest at Melbourne Airport.

Shiv Bhambri said cab drivers who continued to work should have joined them in the protest.

"We're protesting and they're allowing those cabs to pick up directly from the terminal, and we have been waiting here for almost three hours," he said.

Victoria Police Sen-Sgt Andrew Foot said 20 local officers and about the same number of AFP officers responded to the protest.

"They have got a right to protest. Their behaviour, from what I could see, was reasonable in terms of how they acted. There was no obvious violence there, no-one has been injured, no-one has been arrested. In terms of that it went reasonably well," he said. 

The taxi driver is led away by police.

He said police had contingency plans in place and would do the same for Monday's follow-up protest.

"We had some plans in place to block the road if need be and divert cars if it got that bad but we have managed to resolve that without that occurring. As you can see, traffic has flowed pretty well all morning," he said.

"We will certainly be prepared and we will certainly be working closely with our AFP colleagues."

Victorian Taxi Association CEO David Samuel said the VTA  wanted to sit down with Melbourne Airport and discuss the issue.

The taxi drivers have vowed to continue their protest at Melbourne Airport.

"Obviously it is difficult for Melbourne Airport to meet today because there is a lot going on but once tensions calm down we hope we can sit there with them and perhaps some drivers and have sensible discussion," he said.

Matt Francis, General Manager of Corporate and Public Affairs at Melbourne Airport, said airport management was willing to negotiate over the short fare changes, but cab drivers needed to respect those arrangements.

"If the drivers and the industry want to talk to the airport about a better way to handle short fares, (we're) very happy to have that conversation. But we need to get a commitment from the industry that all of the drivers will abide by those rules," Mr Francis said.

Despite threats that drivers would boycott fares from the airport over the weekend, he said the majority of drivers wanted to do business with the airport.

"There are still plenty of taxis who are willing to pick and drop off fares," he said.

"The majority of drivers did not participate in the blockade today, we're talking about a minority. It is probably the same minority who weren't playing by the rules when we had the last system in place, and there not doing any favours to their fellow drivers or passengers who are waiting for a fare," he said.

He said the protest didn't affect airport operations and contingency plans would again be rolled out on Monday if the protest resumed.

"Flights were not delayed, people were still able to get on their way, whether by taxis who weren't part of the blockade, or by other arrangements such as Skybus."

The drivers gathered after a text message encouraged them to block entrances at Tullamarine between 10am and noon.

The airport axed its short-fare queue on Wednesday, after it was claimed it was allegedly rorted by about 200 drivers a day.

The text message read: "We can't just be quiet and accept this abuse. I ask every taxi driver to please come to the airport on Friday 3rd of May at 10am and block all entries to airport until our voice is heard."

The Herald Sun understands a hand-written flyer was also being handed out.

Previously, drivers who waited in the airport's holding yard at Tullamarine and picked up a passenger going to a nearby destination, had been allowed to return to the airport, bypass the yard and head straight to the terminal taxi rank.

Now, all cabbies must head to the holding yard.

Taxi drivers earn an average of $12 an hour. It is illegal to refuse a short fare.

Melbourne Airport spokeswoman Anna Gillett said the airport had consulted the industry before implementing the changes and initial feedback showed taxis queueing times in peak periods had fallen by up to 20 minutes.

"Ultimately, the uninterrupted flow of taxis from the normal queuing system now means that all taxis wait for less time," she said.

Professor Allan Fels urged the State Government to respond to his report into the troubled industry.

"These problems would be less likely to arise if there were a decision on the taxi report. That report includes recommendations in increases in short fares and decreases in long fares,’’ Prof Fels said today.

Tourism Minister Louise Asher said she was greatly concerned about the blockade.

"The airport is a major tourism asset for Victoria. It is 24 hour. It is curfew-free," Ms Asher said.

"We don’t need this today. I think people can talk sensibly, talk rationally but to actually stop people getting in and out - that is not the way you resolve a dispute."

View the original article here

Taxi drivers vow weekend chaos

Taxi drivers protesting at Melbourne Airport have clashed with police and security staff.

UPDATE: PASSENGERS could face chaos getting from Melbourne Airport this weekend with hundreds of taxi drivers vowing to refuse customers.

Up to 300 taxi drivers protested at the airport today over the axing of "short-fare queues" and said they will continue the rally at 8am on Monday.

Violent clashes erupted during the protest as overwhelmed Australian Federal Police and airport security struggled to control the angry drivers.

Critical Incident Response police were called in after several scuffles broke out between security and protesters, who rallied near the arrivals terminal.

During the protest, departing passengers were still able to access the terminal, but the arrivals terminal was partially affected causing minor delays.

Up to 300 taxi drivers protested over the axing of short-queue fares at Melbourne Airport.

Melbourne Airport arranged extra buses to transport arriving passengers to Southern Cross station.

Many cab drivers chose to continue working and were able to access the airport's cab ranks, helping to ease commuter chaos.

Protesters said they want to confront airport management about scrapping short-fare queues, saying they were being treated like "slaves".

Driver Lou Burgess urged the airport to restore the system.

"You wait two hours to get a $40 fare, work it out. There are guys here that won't eat tonight," he said.

 Driver Ayush Sethi said the airport was exploiting underpaid drivers.

"We work for 2 hours and get an $8 fare, it's not fair. They treat us like slaves, like dogs," he said.

"We work for $8 an hour and they're further exploiting us on top of that."

Shiv Bhambri said cab drivers who continued to work should have joined them in the protest.

"We're protesting and they're allowing those cabs to pick up directly from the terminal, and we have been waiting here for almost three hours," he said.

Victorian Taxi Association CEO David Samuel said the VTA  wanted to sit down with Melbourne Airport and discuss the issue.

"Obviously it is difficult for Melbourne Airport to meet today because there is a lot going on but once tensions calm down we hope we can sit there with them and perhaps some drivers and have sensible discussion," he said.

The drivers gathered after a text message encouraged them to block entrances at Tullamarine between 10am and noon.

The airport axed its short-fare queue on Wednesday, after it was claimed it was allegedly rorted by about 200 drivers a day.

A taxi driver is held by a police officer at the protest at Melbourne Airport.

The text message read: "We can't just be quiet and accept this abuse. I ask every taxi driver to please come to the airport on Friday 3rd of May at 10am and block all entries to airport until our voice is heard."

The Herald Sun understands a hand-written flyer was also being handed out.

Previously, drivers who waited in the airport's holding yard at Tullamarine and picked up a passenger going to a nearby destination, had been allowed to return to the airport, bypass the yard and head straight to the terminal taxi rank.

Now, all cabbies must head to the holding yard.

The taxi driver is led away by police.

Taxi drivers earn an average of $12 an hour. It is illegal to refuse a short fare.

Melbourne Airport spokeswoman Anna Gillett said the airport had consulted the industry before implementing the changes and initial feedback showed taxis queueing times in peak periods had fallen by up to 20 minutes.

"Ultimately, the uninterrupted flow of taxis from the normal queuing system now means that all taxis wait for less time," she said.

Professor Allan Fels urged the State Government to respond to his report into the troubled industry.

"These problems would be less likely to arise if there were a decision on the taxi report. That report includes recommendations in increases in short fares and decreases in long fares,’’ Prof Fels said today.

The taxi drivers have vowed to continue their protest at Melbourne Airport.

Tourism Minister Louise Asher said she was greatly concerned about the blockade.

"The airport is a major tourism asset for Victoria. It is 24 hour. It is curfew-free," Ms Asher said.

"We don’t need this today. I think people can talk sensibly, talk rationally but to actually stop people getting in and out - that is not the way you resolve a dispute."

With Amelia Harris

View the original article here

Taxi drivers vow weekend chaos

Taxi drivers protesting at Melbourne Airport have clashed with police and security staff.

UPDATE: PASSENGERS could face chaos getting from Melbourne Airport this weekend with hundreds of taxi drivers vowing to refuse customers.

Up to 300 taxi drivers protested at the airport today over the axing of "short-fare queues" and said they will continue the rally at 8am on Monday.

Violent clashes erupted during the protest as overwhelmed Australian Federal Police and airport security struggled to control the angry drivers.

Critical Incident Response police were called in after several scuffles broke out between security and protesters, who rallied near the arrivals terminal.

During the protest, departing passengers were still able to access the terminal, but the arrivals terminal was partially affected causing minor delays.

Up to 300 taxi drivers protested over the axing of short-queue fares at Melbourne Airport.

Melbourne Airport arranged extra buses to transport arriving passengers to Southern Cross station.

Many cab drivers chose to continue working and were able to access the airport's cab ranks, helping to ease commuter chaos.

Protesters said they want to confront airport management about scrapping short-fare queues, saying they were being treated like "slaves".

Driver Lou Burgess urged the airport to restore the system.

"You wait two hours to get a $40 fare, work it out. There are guys here that won't eat tonight," he said.

 Driver Ayush Sethi said the airport was exploiting underpaid drivers.

"We work for 2 hours and get an $8 fare, it's not fair. They treat us like slaves, like dogs," he said.

"We work for $8 an hour and they're further exploiting us on top of that."

Shiv Bhambri said cab drivers who continued to work should have joined them in the protest.

"We're protesting and they're allowing those cabs to pick up directly from the terminal, and we have been waiting here for almost three hours," he said.

Victorian Taxi Association CEO David Samuel said the VTA  wanted to sit down with Melbourne Airport and discuss the issue.

"Obviously it is difficult for Melbourne Airport to meet today because there is a lot going on but once tensions calm down we hope we can sit there with them and perhaps some drivers and have sensible discussion," he said.

The drivers gathered after a text message encouraged them to block entrances at Tullamarine between 10am and noon.

The airport axed its short-fare queue on Wednesday, after it was claimed it was allegedly rorted by about 200 drivers a day.

A taxi driver is held by a police officer at the protest at Melbourne Airport.

The text message read: "We can't just be quiet and accept this abuse. I ask every taxi driver to please come to the airport on Friday 3rd of May at 10am and block all entries to airport until our voice is heard."

The Herald Sun understands a hand-written flyer was also being handed out.

Previously, drivers who waited in the airport's holding yard at Tullamarine and picked up a passenger going to a nearby destination, had been allowed to return to the airport, bypass the yard and head straight to the terminal taxi rank.

Now, all cabbies must head to the holding yard.

The taxi driver is led away by police.

Taxi drivers earn an average of $12 an hour. It is illegal to refuse a short fare.

Melbourne Airport spokeswoman Anna Gillett said the airport had consulted the industry before implementing the changes and initial feedback showed taxis queueing times in peak periods had fallen by up to 20 minutes.

"Ultimately, the uninterrupted flow of taxis from the normal queuing system now means that all taxis wait for less time," she said.

Professor Allan Fels urged the State Government to respond to his report into the troubled industry.

"These problems would be less likely to arise if there were a decision on the taxi report. That report includes recommendations in increases in short fares and decreases in long fares,’’ Prof Fels said today.

The taxi drivers have vowed to continue their protest at Melbourne Airport.

Tourism Minister Louise Asher said she was greatly concerned about the blockade.

"The airport is a major tourism asset for Victoria. It is 24 hour. It is curfew-free," Ms Asher said.

"We don’t need this today. I think people can talk sensibly, talk rationally but to actually stop people getting in and out - that is not the way you resolve a dispute."

With Amelia Harris

View the original article here

What to expect from the weekend weather

SOUTHEAST Queensland could be in for strong gusts, large swells and patchy showers as the trough slides down from the north.

The Bureau of Meteorology said windy bouts and rainfall is expected to worsen throughout the weekend because of the low-pressure system, currently off the coast of Townsville.

“We are expecting a few showers today and cloudy conditions on and off but that should increase tonight and tomorrow closer to the coast (as the low tracks) down the coast,” forecaster Pradeep Singh said.

Check the weather where you are

“(The system) is almost parallel to the coast and travelling southwards quite quickly.”

About 50mm to 80mm of rain is expected to fall between tonight until Sunday morning, he added.

Temperatures will hover in the low to mid 20s.

“We’re expecting a strong wind warning for coastal waters later today, which should generate high waves and swells...so that could be a bit nasty along the coastal areas,” he said.

“It will then start to clear up and by Monday it is looking like a much better day with a bit of sun,” he said.

View the original article here

Rain, storm predicted for weekend

THE southeast could be in for another drenching over the weekend, with up to 70mm of rain and a severe storm predicted.

The Bureau of Meteorology said the southeast coast took a battering overnight, with 75mm of rain recorded at Coolangatta, and with wind gusts reaching more than 85km/h at Double Island Point.

Brisbane recorded 35mm near the airport and 33mm in the Bayside suburbs.

Senior forecaster Michelle Berry said the rain should ease this afternoon as the trough moves north to Fraser Island and Gladstone.

Clouds and patchy rain are expected to hang around over Brisbane throughout much of the day, but should clear into the evening as the system moves away from the southeast.

A second trough is expected to hit tomorrow afternoon, bringing a deluge of heavy rain and strong wind with the chance of a severe storm on Sunday afternoon.

For those looking to escape the wet weather, Ms Berry recommends heading inland away from the coast.

"If you're looking for sun this weekend, you're best bet is to head north-west," she said.

View the original article here

Fine weekend at last as cyclone eases

FUN TIMES: Tourists Jessica Geglawa and Stephanie Champagne, both 18, in play in the surf at Surfers Paradise. Picture: Adam Head Source: The Courier-Mail

THE beaches are scarred and the surf will be wild, but sunseekers should make the most of a clear and hot weekend as showers are to return next week.

Rain-weary southeast Queensland residents can expect plenty of sun and warm temperatures with tops of around 31C today and 33C tomorrow, before showers move back later in the day.

In north Queensland, residents will be breathing a sigh of relief, with Cyclone Tim expected to ease into a tropical low later today.

At 4pm yesterday, the system was 880km east of Cairns and moving east southwest at about 20km/h.

Tim was downgraded to a Category 1 system yesterday, and was expected to turn south last night.

Forecaster Brett Harrison said it was too early to say whether the resulting low would cross the Queensland coast, but said showers are likely to increase around central and tropical Queensland from Tuesday.

Despite sunny skies in the southeast, beach conditions won't be ideal with powerful swells expected on the coasts today.

A surface trough is expected to move north from New South Wales tomorrow, bringing showers through to Thursday, and deliver strong winds to the south Queensland coast.

Showers will also return to the north, even if Cyclone Tim doesn't cross the coast as a rain depression.

"Showers will occur before the system actually crosses the coast," he said, adding that it's possible that the system may not actually reach the mainland.

Mr Harrison warned Queenslanders to remain vigilant.

Surfers Paradise Beach still has a lot of erosion issues, leading into what is expected to be a hot, clear weekend.

"The tropical cyclone season extends until the end of April so people should take normal precautions," he said.

View the original article here