A Queensland businessman who credits his success with "doing God's will, God's way" has had a lease for a coal mine in Tasmania's north-east cancelled after his company stopped paying rent for 12 months.

Floodwaters brought on by ex-cyclone Alfred continue to rise in south-eastern Queensland city.

Multiple emergency alerts are in place across Queensland as large bursts of rain and severe thunderstorms continue across the state's south-east and northern New South Wales.

The list of projects includes the CopperString transmission line that is being reviewed by the state’s Crisafulli government after a huge cost blowout.

This is the sting in Alfred’s tail. These storms are drawing down very warm, moist air from the Coral Sea in the north. If you happen to be under one of these slow-moving thunderstorms, they are getting ready to dump a lot of rain. The situation is very volatile, as the atmosphere is very unstable.

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has rejected criticism of his decision to attend a fundraising dinner in Sydney while Tropical Cyclone Alfred loomed over Queensland.

Tropical Cyclone Alfred is forecast to cross the coast between the Queensland state capital Brisbane and the tourist city of Gold Coast to the south late Thursday or early Friday.

South East Queensland and northern NSW continue to experience rain and flooding in the wake of ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred. Follow our ongoing coverage.