Nine beaches in Sydney, Australia, have been closed to the public following the appearance of mysterious debris resembling small marble-sized balls. The affected beaches include well-known locations such as Manly, Dee Why, Long Reef, and others in the Northern Beaches region. This precautionary measure was taken as the local council collaborates with the New South Wales Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) for a thorough investigation and clean-up process (SCMP, CBS News).

The council stressed the importance of keeping away from the debris, which could pose environmental hazards. Initial analysis showed that previous similar incidents in October, where thousands of black balls contaminated major Sydney beaches, were formed from fatty acids, human waste, and chemicals. Authorities are working to determine whether the recent grey balls share similar characteristics, as they have been informally termed "grease balls."

As of now, while the council has reopened several beaches, including Queenscliff and North Curl Curl, Dee Why and South Curl Curl remain closed until further notice. Local authorities urge the public to stay updated through official channels concerning the status of these beaches. The EPA is conducting tests to identify the composition and potential sources of the material, maintaining that there are no known issues with local water treatment plants (The Guardian).

This situation draws attention to previous events where neighborhoods faced similar challenges, emphasizing ongoing concerns about environmental integrity along Sydney's acclaimed coastal areas.