String of popular beaches are CLOSED after horror week of heavy rain despite sunny temperatures reaching 27C – here’s the full list of coastline shut near you
- All beaches along the Central Coast of NSW are closed until Tuesday March 30
- Avoca, Terrigal and Shelly beaches close over water quality and debris concerns
- Surf Life Saving NSW has advised beachgoers should wash off after swimming
All beaches along a popular holiday spot have been forced to close over water quality concerns following New South Wale’s horror weather event.
The Central Coast Council issued a warning on Friday that all beaches and ocean baths would remain shut until Tuesday following six consecutive days of severe flooding.
‘Extended heavy rainfall increases the risk of our waterways being impacted by pollution due to stormwater run-off’, the Central Coast Council said.
The Council warned the water quality and floating debris found along multiple beaches including Avoca, Terrigal and Copacabana ‘can be a hazard to your health’.
Temperatures in Greater Sydney and the Central Coast will peak at 27C on Saturday with blue skies and sunshine, with 25C expected on Sunday – meaning an ideal autumn beach weekend.
All beaches along the Central Coast of NSW including Copacabana (pictured) are closed following water quality concerns after severe flooding and rainfall
Avoca Beach (pictured) is also closed after concerns over water quality and floating debris
‘We are strongly advising all residents and visitors not to swim or make contact with our waterways as it may be detrimental to health.’
An update will be provided early next week, once further water quality samples and inspections of local beaches are completed.
Surf Life Saving NSW has advised beachgoers to wash off after swimming as ‘even if the water looks clear, it may not be safe’.
‘There is a lot of unknown and potentially hazardous debris floating in the ocean and below the surface as well as pollutants, sewerage and chemical runoff that have now made their way to the beaches,’ SLSNSW director of lifesaving Joel Wiseman said.
The Central Coast Council is warning swimmers not to make contact with ‘our waterways as it may be detrimental to health’ (pictured: Shelly Beach which is closed until Tuesday)
Surf Life Saving NSW has advised beachgoers to wash off after swimming as ‘even if the water looks clear, it may not be safe’ (pictured: Avoca beach which is closed until Tuesday)
‘Many beaches will be closed this weekend, but if people are going to swim we’re advising them to swim between the flags as always and make sure they thoroughly wash off after getting out of the water.’
SLSNSW advises that the public should be extra cautious swimming at beaches that are in close proximity to lagoons, river mouths or waterway runoffs.
All beaches on the state’s mid north and lower north coast will also most likely remain closed for the entire weekend due to severe flooding in the region.
The NSW Office of Environment and Heritage has warned that storm water pollution may be impacting all swimming sites across the state, including Gordon’s Bay and Clovelly Beach in the eastern suburbs.
The warnings come after dozens of homes at Stuarts Point on the NSW mid-north coast were forced to evacuate on Friday night after a septic tank system leaked sewage into yards (pictured, flooding in Kempsey)
The Local Emergency Operations Controller confirmed there was a major health risk for anyone who came into contact with the water over concerns it was full of bacteria (pictured, flooding in Kempsey)
‘As a general precaution, swimming at Sydney’s oceans beaches should be avoided for up to one day after heavy rainfall or for as long as stormwater is present’, the department said.
The warnings come after dozens of homes at Stuarts Point on the NSW mid-north coast were forced to evacuate on Friday night after a septic tank system leaked sewage into yards and streets.
The Local Emergency Operations Controller confirmed there was a major health risk for anyone who came into contact with the water over concerns it was full of bacteria.
‘Vehicles outside the contaminated area can be moved but occupants must undergo decontamination and evacuation registration prior to departure,’ LEOC said in a statement.
The state and parts of southern Queensland were battered by wild rain which started more than a week ago, with 400mm seen in a day around Port Macquarie.
Sydney itself saw days of 120mm, with flooding affecting huge swathes of the west and north-west.