Seven Sydney beaches now closed due to mysterious black balls

Seven popular Sydney beaches have been shut down until further notice in the wake of hundreds of mysterious black tar-like balls being washed up on the sand this week.

Some of Sydney’s most popular beaches, including Bondi, have been closed after thousands of toxic and carcinogenic black tar-like balls, described by some as “alien poo”, washed up along the shore.

Seven Sydney beaches have now been closed, with Waverly Council shutting down Bondi, Bronte, Tamarama, Maroubra and Clovelly on Thursday, while Randwick City Council closed down Coogee and Gordons Bay on Wednesday,

All seven beaches will be blocked off from the public until further notice as machinery moves in to clean up the pollution. Randwick Mayor Dylan Parker said the safety of the community was his first priority.

“That’s why Council has taken the precaution to close these beaches while we undertake the safe collection and disposal of this material,” he said.

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 unidentified pollution that washed up on shore. 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.

The clean-up at 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.

The mysterious ball-shaped debris that first washed up on Coogee Beach. Picture: Randwick City Council

Seven beaches have now been closed because of the mysterious debris. 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.

The debris was described as “alien poo” by some observers. 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 Seven Sydney beaches now closed due to mysterious black balls