Mysterious debris: ‘Alien poo’ forces closure of Coogee Beach in Sydney’s east

Two popular Sydney beaches will remain off limits until further notice in the wake of hundreds of mysterious black tar-like balls being washed up on the sand this week.

Sydneysiders have been told to steer clear of two beaches after thousandsof mysterious black tar-like balls, described by some as “alien poo”, washed up along the shore.

Coogee Beach has been closed to the public as machinery moves in to clean up the pollution, while Randwick Council has confirmed on Facebook that Gordons Bay Beach has also been shut “until further notice” after black balls were found on Wednesday afternoon.
It was confirmed on Wednesday afternoon that the beach will remain closed until further notice.

Meanwhile Randwick Council, in a statement on Wednesday afternoon, said preliminary test results showed the material is a hydrocarbon based pollutant “consistent with the makeup of tar balls”.

Lifeguards were the first to discover small, eerie black spheres scattered across the sand of Coogee Beach during a routine patrol on Tuesday afternoon.

Workers clean up Coogee Beach after it was closed due to some unidentified pollution that has washed up. Picture: Justin Lloyd

The strange objects have left locals puzzled, sparking curiosity and a flurry of social media speculation about their origin.

“Could just be a bad batch of Arancini,” Daniel joked on The Daily Telegraph.

“Weird it’s only washed up at Coogee,” Emmanuel commented.

“Mulder and Scully are racing to the scene,” Lindsay quipped, referencing The X-Files.

“Alien poo!” Anny Fitzgerald added on WSFM’s coverage of the incident.

Randwick Mayor Dylan Parker issued a firm warning to the public, urging everyone to stay away from the beaches.

“It looks like a beautiful day, but we’re asking people to enjoy other beaches across the eastern suburbs,” Mr Parker said.

Workers clean up Coogee Beach on Wednesday. Picture: Justin Lloyd

The unusual spheres have a tar-like appearance, and while authorities suspect they might be “tar balls” formed when oil meets water and debris — typically from oil spills or seepage — no one can be certain just yet.

Samples have been collected for testing, and the beaches will remain closed until their composition and origin are fully understood.

Mysterious ball-shaped debris has washed up on Coogee Beach. Picture: Randwick City Council

At this stage, the debris has only been spotted at the Coogee and Gordons Bay beaches. Picture: Randwick City Council

In the meantime, council workers are on high alert, working around the clock to clean up thousands of these bizarre, golf ball-sized objects.

Excavators are on standby, and there are reports of similar sightings near Wedding Cake Rock.

Workers clean up Coogee Beach on Wednesday. Picture: Justin Lloyd

“Council staff have been hard at work, clearing the beach through the night and into the morning, but it’s unclear when we’ll be able to reopen Coogee Beach,” Mr Parker added.

The Environment Protection Authority and Beachwatch NSW are assisting Randwick Council to develop a clean-up methodology and safe disposal process for the debris.

For now, Coogee Beach and Gordons Bay Beach remain a no-go zones while authorities work to determine the origin of the debris.

“We’re trying to get an answer as soon as possible,” Mr Parker said.

“Hopefully we’ll have a clearer indication for the public within a day or the next two days.”

Mr Parker later said the “community is rightfully very protective” of our natural environment amid the “very concerning incident”.

Meanwhile heading north to the state’s central coast, Copacabana Beach and Avoca Beach have been temporarily closed “due to possible pollution”.

A Central Coast Council spokeswoman said the closures “are not related” to the black balls found at Coogee Beach or Gordons Bay Beach.

“Council continues to monitor water quality during this isolated incident,” she continued.

Do you know more? Message 0481 056 618 or email [e-mail]

Originally published as Mysterious debris: ‘Alien poo’ forces closure of Coogee Beach in Sydney’s east