NSW’s beaches have returned one of their cleanest years in nearly a decade, according to the latest state-wide annual Beachwatch report.
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For the first time since 2010, 85 per cent of the state’s swimming sites are rated ‘good’ or ‘very good’ in the four-level rating system, with improvements across the board.
All of beaches in the Shoalhaven City Council area rated ‘good’ or ‘very good’ for the third consecutive year, however a decline in water quality was measured at Racecourse Beach.
Member for South Coast Shelley Hancock said the report confirmed what locals have known for a long time – that the South Coast has some of the best beaches in Australia.
“The South Coast is iconic for its pristine waterways and beaches. It’s what attracts record numbers of both international and domestic visitors each year,” Mrs Hancock said.
“Our track record of unspoilt, natural beauty is something we are very proud of, and something everyone in the community works hard to maintain.
Mrs Hancock said she was pleased to see the water and beach quality on the South Coast out-perfromed other areas.
“For three years now 100 per cent of South Coast beaches have been rated as ‘very good’ or ‘good’, meaning visitors and locals can enjoy swimming at them almost all of the time," she said,
“This report shows that we are really getting the balance right, successfully managing a growing population and increased visitation alongside clean and healthy waterways.”
Under the Beachwatch initiative, Shoalhaven City Council environmental health officers monitor, collect and test water samples from selected beaches on a weekly basis for bacteria.
Potential pollution and water quality is monitored at 10 local beaches including Merry Beach, Bawley Point Beach, Warrain Beach, Tilbury Cove, Collingwood Beach, Rennies Beach, Racecourse Beach, Mollymook Beach, Cudmirrah Beach and Shoalhaven Heads Beach.
While the overall results were strong, the report stated significant rainfall events impacted water quality at some swimming sites. Many estuarine and lake and lagoon swimming sites did not perform as well as the ocean beaches, being more susceptible to the impacts from wet weather conditions.