The shocking tar emergency that caused the closure of four major beaches in Sydney’s eastern suburbs appears to be over.
Background: Beaches in Sydney’s eastern suburbs have been closed after a deluge of “tar balls” began washing up, requiring a major clean-up.
The remaining beaches closed to swimmers in Coogee, Maroubra and Clovelly were allowed to reopen on Saturday after Bondi and several others reopened on Friday.
Key Quote: “It’s still a bit of a mystery and it may take a few more days to determine its origin.” – NSW Environment Protection Authority Executive Director Stephen Beaman.
What else to know: The cause of the tar pellets’ emergence remains unknown, but NSW Maritime executive director Mark Hutchings said based on health advice the substance was not highly toxic to humans.
Tar pellets form when oil comes into contact with other debris and water, usually as a result of oil spills or seeps.
What happens next: The NSW Environment Protection Authority is still examining the balls and conducting tests.
Beachgoers have been told to alert lifeguards if they see tar balls.