Beaches throughout Sydney’s eastern suburbs are reopening for the weekend and the city’s annual Sculpture by the Sea exhibition. Beaches in the Randwick and Waverly council areas were previously closed after the discovery of tar balls along the shoreline. But authorities say the pollution poses no imminent health threat to the public.
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00:00Life is returning to the oceanfront across the Randwick Council area after restrictions
00:06were lifted on five beaches across Sydney's eastern suburbs this morning.
00:10Beachgoers at Coogee have been swimming and enjoying the sun after the beach was closed
00:13for three days due to the discovery of tar spheres washing ashore on Tuesday afternoon.
00:18Gordons Bay, Clovelly, Malabar and the north end of Maroubra Beach were also closed to
00:23the public throughout the week, while Bondi, Bronte and Tamarama beaches were closed out
00:27of precaution.
00:28However, test results have indicated that the tar balls, which have now been cleared
00:32from the beaches, are not toxic to humans.
00:35The debris was made up primarily of fatty acids consistent with chemicals found in cleaning
00:39and cosmetic products, as well as fuel oils.
00:42They're advising the public not to touch the spheres and to wash their hands with soap
00:45and water or baby oil if they do.
00:48Authorities are yet to determine the cause of the phenomenon, but say that the beaches
00:51are safe to swim in.
00:52A welcome announcement for the public ahead of a sunny weekend in the eastern suburbs.
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