White Beach: Swimmers urged away due to bacteria levels

A local family says it is one of the first times in living memory the popular Tasman Peninsula beach has been closed to swimmers – and the timing couldn’t have been worse.

Swimming is "not recommended" at White Beach due to a "recent failure in water sampling". Picture: Scott Plimpton

One of southern Tasmania’s most popular beaches has been made off limits to swimmers this long weekend – in what locals say is the first time in 50 years.

Signs at entrances to White Beach on the Tasman Peninsula have been posted saying: “Due to recent failure in water sampling, swimming is not recommended.”

The sheltered 3km beach is popular with families and fishers and tourists visiting nearby Port Arthur.

Tasman Mayor Rod Macdonald said results from testing showed the presence of the bacteria Enterococci above acceptable limits and Public Health advised the council to erect signage.

“It’s annoying but we couldn’t ignore Public Health,” he said.

“We will do more tests on Tuesday.”

Enterococci can cause urinary tract infections and, rarely, meningitis.

A sign erected at Tasman Peninsula's White Beach warning punters away from swimming. Picture: Supplied

Respected scientist and founder of the Derwent Estuary Program Christine Coughanowr who lives on the Peninsula said the closure was “unexpected” and unlikely to be related to salmon pens in the bay.

“It is curious and it seems unexpected and we’re not sure how high the bacterial levels were or where the samples were taken,” she said.

“The bacteria Enterococci comes from warm-blooded animals including humans.

“It is very unlikely to be related to fish farms because fish are cold blooded and the fish food is unlikely too.

“It could be from a failing septic system, or run off after the rain or from cattle or dogs.”

Ms Coughanowr said it was not known the extent of the contamination until more tests were done.

Scott Plimpton who has been a regular at White Beach for nearly 50 years said it was a blow to visitors over the long weekend.

“I have been coming to White Beach since I was 6 years old and with my partner we rented shacks and camped at the tourist park until the family finally bought an onsite van there,” Mr Plimpton said.

“Of course the beach is an integral part of any weekend at White Beach, our kids can’t stay out of the water.

“It is such a blow that the beach has not been accessible this weekend, possibly one of the last weekends with decent temperatures until Christmas.”

Tasman Peninsula Marine Protection spokesperson Trish Baily said while the beach closure was unlikely to be attributed to salmon farms it had heightened opposition to salmon farming in the area.

“The current public outrage on the closure and the blame going to the salmon farms is a clear indication of the growing tide of discontent against the expansion Tassal’s leases visible from White Beach,” Ms Baily said.

“In the vacuum of detailed information, and regular public consultation the public will jump to conclusions.

“The reaction blaming salmon for the closure of White Beach clearly indicates that residents on the Peninsula want their clean white beach back, want their clean bays back, their views back, their peace and quiet at night back and that they don’t want to look at the un-slightly mess of pens, and deal with the mess of algal blooms that do come from the salmon pens. “

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Originally published as White Beach: Swimmers urged away due to bacteria levels