Some of Queensland and New South Wales’ most popular beaches have been closed due to dangerous surf conditions, as the mercury climbs towards 40C on one of the hottest days of the year.
Residents of both states in the grip of an extreme heatwave have increasingly limited options when it comes to beach relief this afternoon.
A dozen Gold Coast swimming spots, including Tugun, Palm Beach, Broadbeach, Surfers Paradise and Miami beaches have been closed.
In Sydney, eastern suburbs beaches Bronte and Tamarama have also been shut, with high winds and rough surf deemed too dangerous for hordes of swimmers.
Authorities are also warning swimmers not to go in the water at nearby Coogee Beach, with pollution levels likely.
The New South Wales environment department has also advised swimmers to avoid the unpatrolled Little Bay beach further south, where pollution is considered likely.
The nearby Malabar Beach is also tipped to be impacted by pollution.
Currently in Sydney’s eastern suburbs, only Bondi, Clovelly and Maroubra beaches are open and recommended for swimming.
On the north shore, Warriewood and Whale beaches are closed.
The remaining north shore beaches are open and free of pollution.
Further north, Mereweather beach in Newcastle has also been closed due to preparations for the surfing event, Surfest, which kicks off tomorrow.
The New South Wales beach closures come after lifeguards decided to close the Gold Coast beaches about 8am, due to strong winds and big swells deemed too dangerous for swimmers.
In Sydney, polluted beaches have been impacted by drenching rains this week, which has dumped water likely to be affected by wastewater overflow.
The environment department has advised that water quality is poor and the risk of pollution likely in three locations.
The beaches remain open however official advice from the department to swimmers is to give them a miss.
On Tuesday, the city and eastern suburbs copped a deluge of rain, which caused flash flooding that, in many cases, overturned full garbage bins and caused their contents to spill into the water.
Coogee Beach has been deemed a high risk of faecal pollution.
Faecal beach pollution is not a problem unique to Sydney.
In early January, the Environmental Protection Authority gave 21 Melbourne beaches a poor quality rating, including the popular St Kilda, Elwood and Frankston beaches.
Five were temporarily declared unsafe for swimming, also after torrential rains.
Online Source: news.com.au
