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Mysterious black balls that washed up on one of Australia's most iconic beaches are finally identified

By Ashley Nickel For Daily Mail Australia 07:35 16 Oct 2024, updated 10:04 16 Oct 2024

• Black balls washed onto Coogee Beach on Tuesday
• They have been identified as 'tar balls'
• READ MORE: New Zealand Navy's HMNZS Manawanui sinks after running aground on a reef and catching fire 

Thousands of mysterious black balls strewn across two beaches have been identified as 'tar balls'.

Randwick Council explained the the strange find, which appeared on Coogee  and Gordons Bay beaches in Sydney's on Tuesday and Wednesday, are a 'hydrocarbon based pollutant' - and likely came from a freight ship.

Both beaches were immediately shut down following the discovery and will remain off limits amid ongoing cleanup efforts.

Council staff are being assisted by the NSWEnvironmental Protection Authority, Ports Authority and Transport for NSW.

'Our community is rightfully very protective of our natural environment and this has been a very concerning incident,' mayor Dylan Parker said.

'Our priority as a local council is to keep people safe and protect as far as possible our coastal and marine environment.

'We have engaged an expert occupational hygienist and a specialist waste removal contractor who are currently systematically removing the debris from the beaches in accordance with an agreed safe work method statement developed with the NSW EPA.

'This process will likely continue tomorrow.'

Mysterious black balls (one pictured) found on Coogee Beach and Gordans Bay Beach have been identified as tar balls

Tar balls are formed when oil comes into contact with debris and water and don't typically pose a significant risk to beachgoers. Pictured are staff cleaning up Coogee on Wednesday

Gordons Bay Beach was also closed on Wednesday due to the debris

Tar balls are formed when oil comes into contact with debris and water.

They are typically seen following oil spill or seepage incidents. 

While the balls usually don't pose a significant risk to beachgoers, their sticky texture and harmful properties can spell disaster for local marine life.

Cr Parker added that the council will work with all relevant authorities to find determine the scale and cause of the pollution.

'I am grateful to the community for their patience and for remaining off the beach,' he said.

Randwick Mayor Dylan Parker assured Sydneysiders that the council is working to clean the beaches

Tar balls are formed when oil comes into contact with debris and water

Coogee and Gordons Bay beaches were closed following the discovery of the balls and remain closed amid ongoing cleanup efforts

'I also wish to thank the Council staff, contractors and various NSW Government agency staff who have been working around the clock to respond to this issue.'

Many locals were glad to see the balls identified and hoped the beaches reopen soon as the weather warns up

'Very unfortunate! Hope the clean up is a success,' one wrote. 

Another added: 'I experienced tar balls in Thailand many years ago. I threw away my swimming suit and flip flops. It can’t be washed. Can’t imagine how the sea animals will be. Look at what our humanity has done.'