Redland City Council has installed signs at Wellington Point Reserve to advise residents and visitors of the presence of Lyngbya (Lyngbya majuscule), a naturally occurring, blue-green algae that can cause skin, eye and respiratory irritations if people come into contact with it.
The presence of Lyngbya is not uncommon for waters around Redlands Coast and Moreton Bay and all beaches and waterways remain open for recreational use.
The signs are precautionary only to inform people of the presence of the material, which often presents as mats floating on the surface of the water or as washed-up clumps on the beach.
Swimming and wading is not recommended where algae is present.
Council has also reinstalled signs advising of Lyngbya at Church Street, Victoria Point and Thompsons Beach, Victoria Point, after the signs there were vandalised and removed.
Council will continue to monitor Wellington Point Reserve and other Redlands Coast beaches, and will erect signs if Lyngbya is found elsewhere.
More information is available from the Department of Environment and Heritage Protection