Debris of uncertain origin causes closure of Sydney’s northern beaches

Nine of Sydney’s northern beaches have been closed today following the discovery of numerous white and grey marble-sized balls on the shorelines.

Sydney’s Northern Beaches Council has advised beachgoers to avoid Manly, Dee Why, Long Reef, Queenscliff, Freshwater, North and South Curl Curl, North Steyne and North Narrabeen beaches until further notice.

A statement from the Northern Beaches Council advised while it is still unclear as to the source of the debris, or what they contain, the impacted areas will remain closed until further notice

Council added that they were “alerted to the debris via the EPA (Environment Protection Agency) and is working closely with the state agency to collect samples for testing.”

Northern Beaches Council Mayor Sue Heins told ABC Radio Sydney "At the moment, both the EPA and the council are doing testing on the samples, but yes, at the moment, we don't know what they actually are.”

The appearance of the debris follows seven of Sydney’s beaches including Bondi, Coogee and Maroubra in the city's east having been closed in October 2024 when numerous black balls washed up.

The incident sparked a massive clean-up by Randwick Council, which initially thought the balls were toxic 'tar balls' created by an oil spill or ship leakage. 

Researchers from the University of New South Wales, however advised the balls were a mixture of diesel and sewage, with their exact cause ultimately undetermined and the EPA ending its investigation in December.

That same month, more balls appeared across the state, including in Sydney's south and the state's South Coast.