Maroubra Beach and several other popular Sydney beaches have finally reopened to the public after a mysterious influx of black tar-like balls forced their closure.
The strange blobs, which sparked health concerns among locals and visitors alike, prompted authorities to respond swiftly and conduct a massive clean-up operation.
Initial fears that the deposits were highly toxic proved unfounded. Tests revealed the spheres to be composed primarily of fatty acids, similar to those found in common household products like cosmetics and cleaning agents. However, the exact origin of these unusual formations remains a puzzle.
Photo Credit: Google Map
Eight beaches in total were affected, including Sydney’s iconic Bondi Beach. Mark Hutchings, Executive Director of New South Wales Maritime, assured the public that the balls posed minimal risk to human health but advised against direct contact. He suggested washing with soap, water, or baby oil in case of accidental touching.
Stephen Beaman, Executive Director of the New South Wales Environment Protection Authority (EPA), stated that while laboratory analysis is ongoing, pinpointing the source of the tar balls could still take several days.
The incident triggered a comprehensive investigation, with authorities working to determine the origin of the pollution and the parties responsible.
Maroubra Beach and several of Sydney’s most popular coastal spots have been closed after a deluge of mysterious black balls washed ashore, prompting an investigation.
The strange debris found at Coogee Beach on Tuesday has since spread to Bronte, Clovelly, Congong, Frenchmans, Little Bay, Malabar, and Tamarama, leaving authorities baffled.
Initially, the objects, the size of tennis balls, were observed to break down into smaller, marble-sized pieces in the surf. The NSW Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) described the material as fibrous, mixing wet and dry pieces.
Photo Credit: Google Map
EPA crews are analysing samples to identify the material and pinpoint the source of the contamination. NSW Maritime has assumed control of the incident, coordinating with Randwick Council, the EPA, Port Authority and other agencies. Vessels have been deployed to monitor the situation and ensure no further debris enters the waterways.
Waverley Council, responsible for Bondi and Tamarama, has closed all its beaches as a safety measure. Randwick Mayor Dylan Parker confirmed that beaches under his jurisdiction would remain closed until the clean-up operation was finished, emphasising public safety as the top priority.
Photo Credit: Google Map
Although initial tests by Randwick City Council indicated the presence of hydrocarbons, consistent with the phenomenon known as “tar balls”, the EPA has yet to corroborate these findings. Further investigations are underway to unravel the origin and nature of these enigmatic objects.
A temporary rocky cove has appeared at the northern end of Maroubra Beach after powerful south swells shifted sands and uncovered a hidden rock shelf, transforming the popular eastern suburbs shoreline.
The dramatic change occurred after the beach experienced the largest south swells of the season.
Lifeguard supervisor Paul Moffatt explained that the direction and size of the swells significantly impacted this part of the beach. He stated that the waves hit North Maroubra with considerable force, causing the sand to be pulled out and creating a strong rip current in the cove area.
Moffatt noted that this sand movement is a regular occurrence, and the beach typically returns to its normal state over time. He indicated that the duration of the rocky cove’s presence depends on surf conditions, with consistent south swells prolonging its existence and calm seas allowing sand to be pushed back onto the beach more quickly.
The altered landscape has created new challenges for beachgoers, particularly surfers. Local photographer Glenn Duffus, who captured images of the transformed shoreline, pointed out that accessing the water from the north end has become more difficult. He warned that the exposed rocks, now covered in slippery green weed, pose additional hazards for those entering the surf.
Duffus also mentioned that the sand movement has affected wave conditions at the northern end of the beach, an area known as The Dunny Bowl due to its swirling rip current.
Despite the beach’s landscape changes, Moffatt assured that lifesaving operations would not be impacted. He explained that lifeguards can still monitor the area effectively from their office and through CCTV cameras overlooking the north side of the beach.
The newly exposed rock shelf has attracted some unexpected visitors. Last week, a seal was spotted sunbaking on the rocks, prompting Randwick Council to remind locals of wildlife protection laws. The council advised people to maintain a distance of 40 metres from seals, increasing to 80 metres if a pup is present.
Maroubra Beach is set to host the inaugural Street Paws Festival, a celebration of our furry companions and their companionship with humans. Supported by Rotary Clubs Botany, Randwick, and Maroubra, this event promises a fun-filled day for both dogs and their owners.
The festival, which will take place on 7 April 2024 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Arthur Byrne Reserve, boasts diverse activities and competitions.
Photo Credit: StreetPawsFestival/Facebook
Schedule of Events
10 am: The festival starts with a warm welcome by the Mayor of Randwick.
11 am: Watch the dogs showcase their talents in Best Tail Wagger, Best Trick, and Best Dancing Dog categories.
Noon: Get ready to be amazed by the creativity displayed in the Best Fancy Dress Dog competition.
1 pm: Honour the wisdom and grace of senior dogs in the Most Dignified Old Timer contest.
2 pm: Prepare for an overload of cuteness as puppies vie for the title of Cutest Puppy.
In addition to the main events, attendees can participate in a raffle, enjoy a sausage sizzle, paint their faces, and explore various dog-themed market stalls. This event is perfect for families looking for a delightful day out with furry friends.
Photo Credit: StreetPawsFestival/Facebook
Photo Credit: StreetPawsFestival/Facebook
Since its inception in 2018, the Street Paws Festival is committed to becoming an annual fixture across Sydney. Organisers plan to rotate the festival to various locations, ensuring accessibility to dog lovers citywide.
Future iterations of the event are expected to return in other suburbs, providing communities with continued opportunities to celebrate the bond between humans and their four-legged companions.
After fifteen years, the Rubik’s Cube that sat on the shore of Maroubra Beach that many have taken to calling the ‘Maroubrix Cube,’ has finally been solved.
The Maroubrix Cube is now solved! Photo Credit: Facebook / Randwick City Council
This piece dates back from 2008, when anonymous street artists added the quirky fixture that has captivated locals and tourists since then.
The unsolved Cube right next to an actual Rubik’s Cube, taken October 2023. Photo Credit: Facebook / Cubos R Py
The unusual design of the Cube, endearingly called the Maroubrix Cube, has caught the attention of Maroubra Beach’s passersby. It was intentionally designed to be unsolvable, which caught on to Rubik’s Cube enthusiasts.
Maroubrix Cube is mentioned on Wikipedia’s Big Things of Australia, and is even featured in a children’s book as a ‘portal to another realm’.
Although the recent transformation of the Cube has been made by the still-anonymous artists themselves, a lively debate has sparked among the Maroubra community. This has divided the locals between embracing the refreshed look and cherishing the unsolved puzzle that gave it its original charm and recognition for over a decade.
Randwick Council Mayor, Philipa Veitch, expressed her surprise at this sudden change. She acknowledged the artists’ intention as thought-provoking. She states that this public art transformation challenges the community to contemplate and stimulate a healthy dialogue.
While some residents have applauded the Cube’s new appearance as “satisfying” and “long overdue,” others have voiced nostalgia for the original design, resisting the change. Over the years, temporary alterations like festive costumes and pastel paint caused mixed reactions, showcasing the community’s attachment to the artwork.
The Maroubrix Cube is now solved! Photo Credit: Facebook / Randwick City Council
The ongoing debate revolves around honouring the artists’ intentions and the council’s role in preserving or altering public art. Mayor Veitch advocates for maintaining the solved state. She highlights the importance of allowing artistic expression to evolve naturally without intervention.
As Maroubra grapples with this unexpected twist, the future of the Rubik’s Cube remains uncertain. Whether it will persist in its solved form or undergo further transformations, the Cube continues to serve as a focal point for artistic expression and community conversation in this beachside locale.
The waves crashing along Maroubra Beach aren’t just familiar background noise to Trevor Cracknell. They are an ever-present reminder of the thousands of rescues he has made across the state’s treacherous coastlines. Let’s take a look back at his journey, driven by an enduring commitment to protecting ocean goers in need.
As a young lifesaver just starting his career on Maroubra Beach, Mr Cracknell often gazed up at the rescue helicopters patrolling the coast overhead. He was fascinated by the crews’ heroic work saving lives along the turbulent shoreline.
One day, after chatting with a friend about his admiration for the service, Mr Cracknell decided to take the next step.
Photo credit: Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopters/Facebook
He looked for open positions with Westpac, feeling called to join the crews he had admired from afar.
Mr Cracknell joined the rescue service in 1986 at the age of 27 following a distinguished swimming career where he represented Australia at the Commonwealth Games. The service first launched 50 years ago on the same beach where he honed his lifesaving skills.
Now, 37 years into his rescue career, Mr Cracknell is a senior crewman and diver with no plans of retiring anytime soon. He says it’s been the best job in the world, eager to go to work every single morning over the last four decades.
Photo credit: Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopters/Facebook
This is despite the fact that the job has never been easy. Mr Cracknell recalls challenging rescues of fishermen who had fallen from rocks, overturned boats, and fighting the light which presents its own difficulties.
After a childhood spent exploring the coves and beaches of Sydney’s eastern suburbs, he is familiar with the coastline’s hidden dangers – he notes that more fishermen have been injured or killed on the rocky outcrops of this region than anywhere else across Australia.
In 2022, Mr Cracknell and his crew were awarded the Surf Life Saving Australia Rescue Medal for an extremely challenging rescue mission the previous year.
Photo credit: sls.com.au
On 5 May 2021, Mr Cracknell, Jon Klopper, and John Molnar responded in the ‘Lifesaver 21’ helicopter to a welfare check request for a young family lost and isolated by rising creek levels at the National Park.
Despite confined spaces complicating the delicate rescue, the crew located the family and directed them to an area where they could be retrieved. Each patient, two adults and an infant, was carefully secured, winched into the aircraft, and transferred to waiting emergency services at a nearby field, reuniting the grateful family safely. Mr Cracknell and his crew received SLSA’s prestigious Rescue Medal for their skilled handling of a complex heli-rescue.
Now in the twilight of his career, he plans to continue serving as long as fitness allows. He remains as passionate as ever, eager to help those in need after over 1,000 rescues. Though missions still present challenges, Mr Cracknell takes it all in stride, driven by a career-long goal of saving lives.
The emergency services came to the aid of an unconscious man who was pulled from the water at Maroubra Beach. The man, whose identity remains a mystery, was reportedly in critical condition and is currently being treated at St George Hospital.
The incident unfolded around 11:30 a.m. on Sunday, 27 Aug 2023, when calls alerted authorities to a man in distress off the north rocks at Maroubra Beach. The individual, who is believed to have been rock fishing, was swept into the water by the powerful currents, according to witnesses.
Responding swiftly to the emergency, officers from the Eastern Beaches Police Area Command, surf lifesavers, and a rescue helicopter rushed to the scene along Marine Parade. The man, described as being of Asian appearance and aged in his 50s or 60s, was located unconscious in the water.
Lifeguards from Maroubra Beach played a pivotal role in the rescue, skillfully navigating Jetskis to retrieve the unconscious man from the water. They initiated CPR whilst awaiting the arrival of paramedics. The man was then transported to St George Hospital, where he remains in critical condition.
Despite extensive efforts by law enforcement, the man’s identity remains a puzzle, leaving authorities with no means of contacting his next of kin. To aid in the investigation and identification process, the New South Wales Police have issued a public appeal for assistance.
Authorities have described the man as approximately 160cm to 170cm tall, with a slim build and an olive complexion. He was found wearing long black pants, a white long-sleeved button shirt with a grey cardigan, a black vest, and white speckled boots. The man was also carrying a blue Nike backpack and had fishing gear in his possession.
Anyone with information about the incident or the unidentified man to come forward. Maroubra Police Station can be contacted at (02) 9349 9299, and information can also be provided to Crime Stoppers at 1800 333 000.
Construction is now underway to convert the temporary McKeon Street Plaza in Maroubra Beach into a permanent public space, after an overwhelmingly positive community response to the initial trial last year.
The section of McKeon Street was first closed to vehicles in October 2022 on a trial basis, creating a vibrant community hub supporting local businesses with programmed events like farmers markets, live music, and movie screenings.
Randwick Mayor Dylan Parker said the trial received highly enthusiastic feedback from locals. “A permanent plaza in the heart of Maroubra Beach will be a welcoming space for the community to spend more time socialising and supporting local businesses,” he stated.
Aerial view (Photo credit: Randwick City Council)
The new permanent design incorporates suggestions from community consultations, with 85 percent of respondents supporting making the plaza permanent. Locals expressed a desire for a revitalised public area fostering community spirit, active lifestyles, and celebrating the coastal character of Maroubra.
New seating (Photo credit: Randwick City Council)
Features of the upgraded permanent plaza will include a performance stage, increased shade and seating, community garden beds, indigenous coastal plantings, and public art installations. Access will be maintained for local businesses throughout construction.
The 6-month trial of the McKeon Street Plaza was funded through a grant from the NSW Government’s Streets as Shared Spaces program.
The initial trial period concluded on March 31, but Randwick City Council voted on March 28 to extend the trial to allow time for additional community consultation and evaluation of potential long-term plans for the space.
The Maroubra Beach community is eagerly anticipating the completion of the new McKeon Street Plaza, expected by late September 2023. Mayor Parker encouraged locals to continue visiting Maroubra’s cafes and shops during construction, saying their support of local businesses is greatly appreciated.
An unprecedented number of sea slugs called blue dragons have been seen in Maroubra Beach and other beaches in NSW, posing a dangerous threat for swimmers.
While blue dragons have been reported before, specifically in 2018 and 2021, the numbers that have recently washed up at Maroubra beach, as well as Bondi beach, were higher than ever in late January 2023.
Compared to bluebottles, blue dragons have a more potent sting that isn’t life-threatening or venomous but could deliver the most excruciating pain, according to marine biologist Julian Obayd. He has been sharing information about blue dragons and other unique sea creatures on his TikTok account.
If stung by this sea creature, the experts advise rinsing the area with seawater and never freshwater. It’s also best to avoid rubbing the area and instead soak the sting in comfortable hot water for at least 20 minutes.
The heat should help with pain relief but if hot water is not available, ice packs may be applied to the area as well. If pain persists, medical assistance must be done as soon as possible.
Blue dragons usually appear in late summer but with the water temperature rising, its numbers have been inevitably increasing.
Professor David Schoeman of the University of the Sunshine Coast believes that more unusual occurrences will happen in marine life as the heatwave continues. The waters in Bondi or Maroubra beach will not only get warmer but such a temperature will be longer in duration by 2050.
Some NSW coastal areas could soon be ditching shark nets altogether if plans of letting each council area decide for itself pushes through.
Agriculture Minister Dugald recently confirmed that the state government is in talks with councils about the future of the current shark bite mitigation program. Among those who have shown strong support for the removal of the shark nets is Central Coast MP Adam Crouch, and if he could have his way, he would like his electorate to be the first region to do so.
Wollongong’s Lord Mayor Gordon Bradbery also expressed his support for the proposal stating that there are better approaches to protecting both human life and the marine environment.
Randwick Council is also calling for a change in the current shark net program and expressed their full support for the additional shark mitigation measures including SMART drum lines and listening stations by voting to take part in the trial.
Grey nurse shark Photo Credit: The original uploader was Jlencion at English Wikipedia., CC BY-SA 2.5 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5>/Wikimedia Commons
Since 1937, shark nets have been deployed on Sydney’s beaches as a measure to reduce the risk of shark attacks. The NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) manages the deployment of these nets at 51 NSW beaches, including Maroubra, from September to April each year.
A 2021-21 Annual Performance Report, however, showed that out of the 376 marine animals that were caught in the shark nets during the period from 1 September 2021 to 30 April 2022, an overwhelming 85 per cent or 325 were non-target animals.
Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas) Photo Credit: Bernard DUPONT from FRANCE, CC BY-SA 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0>/Wikimedia Commons
Threatened or protected species that were caught includes 28 white sharks, 14 green turtles, 16 leatherback turtles, 14 grey nurse sharks and 4 loggerhead turtles.
Moreover, during the period, there was one reported human-shark interaction at a meshed beach involving a surfer who was bumped by an unidentified shark at Maroubra Beach in early March 2022.
Also, there were seven verified interactions at unmeshed beaches, three of which happened in the shark meshing region including a spearfisher who was uninjured after fending off a white shark at Magic Point, Maroubra (just one kilometre south of the closest meshed beach) in March 2022.
Early this year, the NSW Government announced that it will invest an additional $85 million in shark mitigation technology including SMART drum lines and SMART listening stations.
