Manly, Dee Why beaches are closed after grey balls wash up
A series of beaches in Sydney have been closed after marble-sized gray balls washed up on 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 city’s north were closed on Tuesday.
“Council was made aware of the debris through the EPA and is working closely with the state agency to collect samples for testing,” the Northern Beaches Council said.
‘So far, most of the samples identified are marble-sized, with a few larger in size.
‘The municipality is organizing the safe disposal of the matter and 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 washed up.
Although authorities initially thought these bizarre spheres were poisonous tar balls, scientists revealed that their origins were much more disgusting.
Researchers from the University of New South Wales said the balls were actually a nasty mixture of raw sewage, shortening, soap scum and medicine.
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 washed up
Researchers from the University of New South Wales said the balls were actually a nasty mixture of raw sewage, shortening, soap scum and medicine.
This suggested that the balls were not formed by an oil leak, as many thought, but were in fact pieces of a ‘fat pile’ commonly found in city sewers.
A small number of the balls also washed up on Silver Beach in the south of the city in December.
Anyone who notices this type of debris on other beaches in the city’s north is encouraged to contact Northern Beaches Council on 1300 434 434.
More to come…