Stinky black sludge on Sandringham beach threatens world sailing event
More at home on the set of a horror film, the “black death” at one Melbourne’s bayside beaches is getting worse by the day. Here’s why everyone’s talking about the quicksand-like dark pits.
Inner South
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Sandringham’s despised “black sludge” could scuttle a world sailing event if the stinky beach ooze isn’t brought under control.
The sludge, an accumulation of organic material including seagrass and seaweeds, has been a problem for the Sandringham Yacht Club for several years.
The club is booked to host three Oceania Laser World Championships in January/February 2020.
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The championships will include athletes competing for final selection at the Tokyo Olympics but club insiders fear the sludge could cause these vital qualifiers to be moved or cancelled.
Either way, the disruptions to competitors heading into Tokyo could derail Olympic aspirations.
Sandringham Yacht Club chief executive Richard Hewett has renewed his call for the next state government to pay for the sludge to be cleaned up.
He is currently raising money to pay for a black sludge feasibility study but an early clean up estimate of $200,000 would see the sludge banished for good.
“We intend on hosting these world class championships in a world class manner, in a world class harbour in a world class city,” Mr Hewett said.
“Walking through black sludge to get to the racetrack is not world class, it’s time to clean it up as we will be on show to the world.”
Laser 2020 Organising Committee chairman James Mitchell said a solution to the sludge needed to be found ahead of the 2020 championships.
“The black sludge at Sandringham beach is both an eyesore and a health concern,” he said.
“The problem is getting worse and we need a solution to this problem as in every other respect Sandringham can be an exceptional showcase to the world.”
Earlier this year, the Leader revealed the sludge also known as the “Black Death” had created a safety hazard at the Sandringham Harbour/Jetty Road precinct.
It was reported several children had been caught waist-deep in the quicksand-like dark pits.
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