British News Agency

After Gordons Bay and Coogee beaches were closed by Randwick council, more tar balls were found, leading to the closure of Clovelly beach and the northern end of Maroubra on Thursday. People were warned not to touch or approach the debris.

On Thursday afternoon, the neighboring Waverley council announced that Bondi, Tamarama, and Bronte beaches were also closed "as a precautionary measure."

Randwick council announced on Wednesday evening that preliminary test results identified the dark spheres as "tar balls," which typically form as a result of oil spills when oil comes into contact with debris and water.

Tests conducted by the council revealed that the main component of the debris was a hydrocarbon-based contaminant, a key component of petroleum-based products.