Coogee Beach closed after black, ball-shaped debris wash ashore prompting investigation by local council

ABC NEWS (Australia)

One of Sydney's most popular beaches has been closed after hundreds of mysterious black balls washed up on shore. A clean-up effort is underway after officials began the work overnight.

Transcript

00:00This picture of paradise is usually teeming with activity.

00:05Today, locals and visitors are shut out after a peculiar case of black tar balls washing

00:12up on Coogee Beach's shores yesterday afternoon.

00:16Since then, it's been closed as authorities have worked around the clock to try and clear

00:21the beach of the debris.

00:23Exactly what comprises their material is not entirely clear, neither is how it too arrived

00:29at just Coogee Beach, however one prevailing theory is that it could be the product of

00:34an oil seepage or spill and the mixture of those elements with the seawater has formed

00:40these black tar balls.

00:42Locals hoping to have a dip today found themselves disappointed but understanding the council's

00:47decision to close the beach.

00:49We saw the news last night and everyone messaged me last night because everyone knows that

00:54I like to come down to the beach first thing in the morning, six o'clock, without fail.

00:59I guess they don't know what contaminants are in there and when it's safe to go in again

01:04so I guess it's a precaution well needed.

01:07Another curious question is to how these black balls have only been spotted on Coogee Beach

01:12and not at other nearby beaches.

01:14Either way, it's good news for people hoping to have a swim as Mayor of Randwick Council

01:19Dylan Parker has advised people though they can't come to Coogee, they can go elsewhere.

01:25Beaches do close from time to time for a range of different reasons, water pollution,

01:30large storm events and the like.

01:33We've taken the precaution to close the beach and hopefully we'll be able to have it open

01:36soon but until that work happens best to go for a walk, go to the park or visit another

01:41part of Sydney.

01:42Exactly when Coogee Beach will reopen actually remains unclear.

01:46Authorities are anticipating at high tide tonight around 8pm eastern daylight time more

01:52black tar balls will wash up on the shore.

01:55At the moment there aren't any on Coogee Beach but with the spectre of them returning, precautions

02:01are being taken and the beach remains closed.

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