NSW Flood disaster: Debris washing up on the northern beaches

A jacuzzi is just one item of unusual debris washing up on the northern beaches after this week’s devastating floods. SEE THE VIDEO

A jacuzzi and a rusting 44-gallon oil drum are just some of the weird debris that is now washing up on the northern beaches after the devastating floods on the city’s northwestern fringe.

Beachgoers spotted the fibreglass hot tub, minus its high-pressure water jets, wallowing in the surf at Collaroy Beach.

It washed up on the sand in front of the beach carpark, just north of the surf life saving club, perhaps after being torn from its mounts on the veranda of a Hawkesbury River waterfront home.

A fibreglass jacuzzi that washed up on Collaroy Beach was removed by a council clean-up crew. Picture: Northern Beaches Council

The oil drum, which sports a logo for the BP petroleum company, was also seen dangerously bobbing in the waves at Collaroy, this time between the surf club and the ocean pool.

On its Facebook page the voluntary, not-for-profit organisation, Northern Beaches Clean Up Crew, said two people managed to wrestle the drum from the surf and roll it up on to the pedestrian promenade.

A floating oil barrel, with a BP motif, was found floating just off Collaroy beach. Two people managed to wrestle it on to the beach. Picture: Northern Beaches Clean Up Crew

Northern Beaches Council, which has been closely monitoring the beaches for debris and potentially dangerous items in the surf, said clean-up crews were also picking up car tyres and significant amounts of tree limbs and other vegetation.

The council has removed sizeable tree trucks and branches as well as smashed up forklift pallets.

“We have been checking the beaches for debris since the flood emergency started,” a council spokesman an said.

“The crew are removing larges amounts of material from trees and shrubs.

“We did remove a spa bath from Collaroy that had washed up.”

Instagram blogger ‘justwater101” filmed the jacuzzi bobbing in the surf.

The council urged beachgoers to immediately report and large items they see on the sand or in the water and alert the council to any build up of debris.

“People can call our hotline on 1300 434 434,” the spokesman said.

Storm debris on Collaroy Beach. Picture: Manly Daily

The rubbish on the beaches comes as authorities also warned swimmers about potential pollution contamination caused by stormwater and sewage system leaks die to the high rainfall levels.

A pile of tree branches and dead shrubbery gathered up by a council clean-up crew after flood debris was deposited on Collaroy Beach. Picture: Northern Beaches Council

On the NSW Government’s Beachwatch daily bulletin on Thursday, it warned of “likely” pollution at North Narrabeen, North Curl Curl, Freshwater, North Steyne, South Steyne and Shelly beaches and said swimming should be avoided. It also warned about Clontarf Pool

The rest of the beaches and harbour pools had warnings for “possible” pollution.

Meanwhile, on the Just Add Water Instagram account published a shocking video of a spa hot tub bobbing in the water at Collaroy Beach.

Charlie Sedanayasa, a mum of one from Beacon Hill, combed Curl Curl Beach following the recent wild weather and collected a huge bag of rubbish.

“So much rubbish,” she said. “If you’re heading down please remember to take a plastic bag.”

It comes as NSW Maritime Executive Director Andrew Mogg warned that fast moving and potentially deadly debris is flowing through large areas of the NSW river systems.

Mr Mogg called for all non-essential boating to cease until the current severe weather event passes.

“People need to understand just because it may not be raining at your location – the flow of flood waters across the State is severe and has impacts downstream some hundreds of kilometres away.

“Just like we know that the majority of an iceberg lies below the surface, debris and hazards in a waterway are often submerged or semi-submerged. We are receiving reports of trees, shipping containers, vessels and large remnants of infrastructure such as buildings and jetties.”

Members of the public seeking emergency assistance during a flood or storm should call the NSW State Emergency Service on 132 500 or visit their website www.ses.nsw.gov.au