A decomposing whale carcass that led to beach closures in Sydney’s eastern suburbs has washed ashore at another location, with its removal planned.
Malabar Beach was closed on Monday after strong currents moved the juvenile whale carcass from Lurline Bay, where it had been wedged among rocks since last week.
Randwick City Council lifeguards barricaded the area to keep the public away, with the beach remaining closed until further notice.
Council staff were due to remove and dispose of the carcass on Tuesday morning, according to an earlier update from the council.
The carcass had previously closed Coogee and Maroubra beaches after it was spotted floating off Lurline Bay on Thursday, October 22.
Coogee Beach reopened the following day, while Maroubra remained closed due to dangerous surf conditions.
The whale’s remains have since moved again, with at least two large pieces of the decomposing carcass seen near the shore at Malabar on Tuesday morning.
The closures were prompted in part by concerns the carcass could attract sharks to the area.
Indigenous significance
The whale holds spiritual significance for local Indigenous people, with Randwick City Council previously working with Gamay Rangers, La Perouse Local Aboriginal Land Council and the NSW government to determine how to manage the carcass.
Senior Gamay Ranger Robert Cooley said the whale was an important spiritual ancestor or totem for the local Bidjigal people.
The council had initially considered options to manage the carcass in a “culturally and environmentally sensitive approach”.
Malabar Beach is to remain closed until further notice.
News24.com.au has contacted Randwick City Council for a further update.
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