Debris balls have reappeared on the New South Wales coast, prompting officials to advise residents to avoid beaches and refrain from touching the mysterious spherical globules.
Central Coast Council stated on Thursday that the grey-coloured debris balls, ranging from 10mm to 40mm in size, had been found on several beaches, including The Entrance, Grant McBride baths, Blue Bay, Toowoon Bay, North Shelly, Shelly, and Blue Lagoon. These incidents are reminiscent of previous occurrences initially identified as “tar balls” made of crude oil; however, testing showed they were akin to human-generated waste.
The council does not yet know the composition of the debris or if they are related to the Sydney debris balls. It believes debris could originate from various sources, including stormwater and sewerage networks, as well as from ships.
The public is advised to avoid these areas until further notice and to not touch the debris. Environmental officers have collected samples to investigate their composition and origin. The incident has been reported to the NSW Environmental Protection Authority.
In January, nine Sydney beaches, including Manly, were closed after similar debris washed up. The incidents began in October 2024, when thousands of black balls appeared on several east coast beaches. Experts believe Sydney’s unique sewerage system is responsible for the phenomenon.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/aug/22/debris-balls-nsw-beaches-central-coast-entrance-north-shelly
