Marble-Like Debris Forces Closure of Sydney Beaches Again

Northern Beaches Council prompts concerns as fresh clean-up begins

Several of Sydney's renowned beaches have been forced to close again due to the appearance of small marble-sized debris, leading to a new wave of concern among locals and visitors. This latest incident follows a previous closure caused by mysterious black balls that emerged last October, which thorough investigations revealed were linked to a sewage spill.

Now, the fresh batch of debris, which has been described as grey or white in color, has resulted in the shutdown of nine beaches, including famous spots such as Manly and Dee Why. Northern Beaches mayor Sue Heins emphasized the uncertainty surrounding the recent appearance of these new balls, stating, "We don't know at the moment what it is and that makes it even more concerning."

The Northern Beaches Council reported that they were alerted to the situation by the New South Wales Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and plans are underway to collect the new debris for testing while also inspecting other nearby beaches to ascertain any further risks. Authorities are urging people to report any sightings of these balls.

The previous debris incident, widely described as "tar balls," was found to contain various unexpected materials, including cooking oils, medication residues, and even drugs. They formed what are known as fatbergs, a combination of grease and waste commonly found in sewage systems. Despite the troubling concerns raised, Sydney Water confirmed that there were no known issues with waste systems in the city, leaving the origin of the debris a mystery.

State politician Sue Higginson from the Greens party highlighted the ongoing uncertainty and lack of assurance regarding beach safety, citing concerns about the unexplained human waste contributing to the previously reported fatbergs. As investigations continue, the safety of Sydney’s beaches remains a priority.