Two more Sydney beaches have been closed to the public after black tar balls washed up along the coast.
The ‘unusual’ orbs were first discovered along Coogee Beach on Tuesday, prompting Randwick City Council to immediately close the beach while tests were carried out.
Since then, Bondi, Tamarama and Bronte, Gordons Bay, Clovelly Beach and Maroubra Beach have been closed to the public.
All seven swimming spots are closed until further notice.
Randwick Mayor Dylan Parker said the council would continue to remove the material from all beaches on Thursday.
“The safety of the community is our first priority. Council has therefore taken the precaution of closing these beaches whilst we undertake the safe collection and disposal of this material.
‘We do not yet know what has happened to the debris washing up on our beaches, but we will continue to work with the relevant authorities to ensure the safety of the public and to keep our beaches clean.’
Preliminary results showed that the material of the ‘unusual’ spheres was a ‘hydrocarbon-based contaminant consistent with the composition of tar balls’.
Two more Sydney beaches have been closed to the public after black tar balls washed up along the coast. Coogee beach is pictured
Tar balls washed up on Coogee Beach (pictured) have led to its closure until further notice
Clean-up operations started on Wednesday to remove debris from popular beaches and remove it safely.
Mr Parker said council staff have been working closely with the NSW Environment Protection Agency, Ports Authority and Transport for NSW to assist with the clean-up effort.
Although it is not yet known where the tar balls come from, the municipality will continue to cooperate with all relevant authorities as necessary.
“Our community is rightly very protective of our natural environment and this was a deeply concerning incident,” the mayor said.
“We have engaged an expert industrial hygienist and specialist waste removal contractor who are currently systematically removing debris from the beaches in accordance with an agreed safe working practice statement developed in partnership with the NSW EPA.”
He thanked the NSW public for staying off the beaches as testing and clean-up efforts continue.