The weather bureau says a category four cyclone in the Coral Sea poses no immediate threat to the Queensland coast, but could move closer over the weekend.

Tropical Cyclone Ului is more than 1,300 kilometres north-east of Mackay in north Queensland and is moving west-south-west at about four kilometres an hour.

The bureau says there will be increased winds along the Queensland coast.

But forecaster Ben Annells says it is going to remain offshore for most of the week.

“It’s going to basically come to a virtual halt – it’s already doing that at the moment and we’re likely to see it adopt a southerly track or movement over the Coral Sea area basically from about tomorrow onwards until later in the week,” he said.

“After that, that’s where the computer models have been having some difficult ascertaining what’s going to happen.

“The main effect I guess in the short to medium-term will still be the maintenance of those strong to gale force winds along the east coast of Queensland, particularly about the tropical coast initially, and continuing with showers.”

Port delays

With strong winds and high seas creating dangerous conditions, operators of two central Queensland coal terminals say it could be some days before loading can recommence.

No coal has been loaded from the Dalrymple Bay terminal, south of Mackay, since Saturday.

A spokesman says the port was due to reopen yesterday but conditions have not improved.

A spokeswoman for BMA, the operator of the Hay Point terminal, says the port will only reopen when it is safe.

Preparations

Meanwhile, Emergency Management Queensland (EMQ) acting regional director Wayne Hepple says now is the time to stock up on emergency supplies.

“Ideally you should have that stuff all squirreled away and all set aside now – maybe some last minute top-ups,” he said.

“Ideally your batteries should have a good little bit of time left on them – just check those last minute things out.

“We’ve got a little bit of time before it could even vaguely been in our area.

“This time of year we very much encourage people to be checking out their house, making sure it’s all prepared, making sure their kits are ready.

“What we do encourage is to make sure that even simple things like making sure your gutters are clear.”

Shark warning

Shark experts are warning about the dangers of bull sharks in Queensland waters following heavy rain.

Fisheries Queensland (FQ) says there has been an increase in bull shark sightings in rivers, creeks and canals along the Queensland coast.

FQ shark control program manager Tony Ham says the sharks are searching for food.

“There’s a multitude of fish moving out with the dirty water and if there is one thing sharks are good at, it’s feeding in dirty water,” he said.

“I guess the risk is increased simply because if they are in those conditions, they are generally there feeding.”