A string of Sydney beaches have been closed after marble-sized gray balls appeared in the sand, just months after similar balls closed some of the city’s most popular beaches.
Manly, Dee Why, Long Reef, Queenscliff, Freshwater, North and South Curl Curl, North Steyne and North Narrabeen beaches in the north of the city were closed on Tuesday.
“The council was alerted to the debris through the EPA and is working closely with the state agency to collect samples for testing,” Northern Beaches Council said.
“So far, most of the samples identified are marble-sized and some are larger.
“The City Council is organizing the safe removal of the material and is inspecting other beaches.”
It comes after seven iconic beaches, including Bondi, Coogee and Maroubra in the city’s east, were closed in October when dozens of black balls appeared.
While authorities initially thought these strange spheres were toxic tar balls, scientists revealed their origins were much nastier.
Researchers from the University of New South Wales said the balls were actually a disgusting mixture of sewage, kitchen grease, soap scum and drugs.
It comes after seven iconic beaches including Bondi, Coogee and Maroubra in the city’s east were closed in October when dozens of black balls appeared.
Researchers from the University of New South Wales said the balls were actually a disgusting mixture of sewage, kitchen grease, soap scum and drugs.
This suggested that the balls were not formed by an oil spill as many thought, but were actually pieces of a ‘fatberg’ normally found in city sewers.
A small number of balls also appeared on Silver Beach, in the south of the city, in December.
Anyone who notices this type of debris on other beaches north of the city can contact the Northern Beaches Council on 1300 434 434.
More to come…