In brief
Marble-sized balls resembling the previous black deposits have led the Northern Beaches Council to close popular beaches, including Manly and Dee Why, while the Environmental Protection Agency conducts tests to identify the new substances.
Months after the initial closure of several beaches in Sydney due to mysterious black balls, a new wave of small, marble-like debris has been discovered along the city's coastline. This time, the balls are gray or white, prompting urgent action from local councils to close nine popular beaches, including the iconic Manly and Dee Why, as investigations into their source begin.During a troubling incident in October, eight beaches such as Bondi were forced to close for several days after thousands of black deposits were found on the shore. Authorities later determined these black balls were likely the result of a sewage spill, raising concerns about pollution in the area. Northern Beaches Mayor Sue Heins expressed worries over the latest findings, stating to the Guardian Australia, "We don't know at the moment what it is and that makes it even more concerning."In a Facebook update, Northern Beaches Council informed the public that the New South Wales Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) alerted them to the new debris. The council has initiated plans to collect samples for testing and inspect other nearby beaches as part of a precautionary response. Residents are urged to report any sightings of the peculiar balls.Although media outlets have referred to these new spherical objects as "tar balls," the incident last October highlighted a worrying mixture of contaminants in the debris, including cooking oil, soap scum molecules, blood pressure medication, pesticides, hair, methamphetamine, and veterinary drugs. Scientists have likened the substances to fatbergs, which are large masses formed by the accumulation of fat, oil, and grease in sewage systems.Despite the alarming nature of these incidents, Sydney Water reported no known issues with the city's waste management systems, leaving some community members and officials puzzled and anxious about the safety of local beaches. Greens party member and state politician Sue Higginson criticized the EPA for its inability to explain the human waste contributing to the fatbergs or assure the public of the safety of Sydney's beaches.
