Published On
21/08/2025Thursday 21 August 2025, 5.36pm
NOTICE: Debris Balls on Some Beaches – Avoid Beach Activity and Do Not Touch
Inspections by Council environmental officers have identified debris ball pollution washed ashore at several Central Coast beaches:
📍 The Entrance Beach
📍 Grant McBride Baths, The Entrance
📍 Blue Bay Beach
📍 Toowoon Bay Beach
📍 North Shelly Beach
📍 Shelly Beach
📍 Blue Lagoon Beach
⚠️ Advice is:
• Avoid these beaches until further notice
• Do not touch the material
• Report sightings to Council, call 4306 7900
🚫 Grant McBride Baths is temporarily closed until further notice.
Samples have been collected to analyse the composition and origin of the material. This has been reported to the NSW EPA, and further inspections and safe clean-up are underway.
The debris balls are grey-coloured, vary in size (approx. 10–40mm), and signage has been erected.
At this stage it is unknown what the material is, or if they are related to the debris balls that washed up on Sydney beaches between October 2024 – January 2025. View NSW EPA related information.
📢 We will provide further updates to our community via our Facebook page and website.
Update, 6.40pm 21 August 2025
Council staff have progressed testing but have not yet identified the actual composition or source of the material. There is no evidence available at this stage to confirm the source of origin of these debris balls. Debris balls washed ashore could be from a variety of sources or locations such as stormwater, sewerage networks, ships from local or international locations. Council is taking a precautionary approach in managing a potential risk of these items. We will keep the community updated.
Update 5:00pm Friday 22 August
Debris balls have also been found and removed at Forresters Beach. Council staff will undertake further inspection of beaches over the weekend and remove any debris balls that are identified. The debris balls are currently being analysed with results being expected back next week. Council continues to advise the public not to pick up the balls and keep dogs off beaches in case they ingest the balls. Debris balls will be disposed of at a licensed waste management facility.