One of Sydney's most popular beaches has been closed after hundreds of mysterious black balls washed up on shore. A clean-up effort is underway after officials began the work overnight.
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00:00This picture of paradise is usually teeming with activity.
00:05Today, locals and visitors are shut out after a peculiar case of black tar balls washing
00:12up on Coogee Beach's shores yesterday afternoon.
00:16Since then, it's been closed as authorities have worked around the clock to try and clear
00:21the beach of the debris.
00:23Exactly what comprises their material is not entirely clear, neither is how it too arrived
00:29at just Coogee Beach, however one prevailing theory is that it could be the product of
00:34an oil seepage or spill and the mixture of those elements with the seawater has formed
00:40these black tar balls.
00:42Locals hoping to have a dip today found themselves disappointed but understanding the council's
00:47decision to close the beach.
00:49We saw the news last night and everyone messaged me last night because everyone knows that
00:54I like to come down to the beach first thing in the morning, six o'clock, without fail.
00:59I guess they don't know what contaminants are in there and when it's safe to go in again
01:04so I guess it's a precaution well needed.
01:07Another curious question is to how these black balls have only been spotted on Coogee Beach
01:12and not at other nearby beaches.
01:14Either way, it's good news for people hoping to have a swim as Mayor of Randwick Council
01:19Dylan Parker has advised people though they can't come to Coogee, they can go elsewhere.
01:25Beaches do close from time to time for a range of different reasons, water pollution,
01:30large storm events and the like.
01:33We've taken the precaution to close the beach and hopefully we'll be able to have it open
01:36soon but until that work happens best to go for a walk, go to the park or visit another
01:41part of Sydney.
01:42Exactly when Coogee Beach will reopen actually remains unclear.
01:46Authorities are anticipating at high tide tonight around 8pm eastern daylight time more
01:52black tar balls will wash up on the shore.
01:55At the moment there aren't any on Coogee Beach but with the spectre of them returning, precautions
02:01are being taken and the beach remains closed.