Ninety five per cent of ocean beaches in NSW have been graded as Good or Very Good.

The State Government Beachwatch Program has assessed beaches since 1989.

The latest report summarises the performance of 218 swimming sites along the NSW coast in 2023–2024 including ocean beaches, estuarine areas, lakes, lagoons and freshwater swimming sites.

The assessment overall is slightly down in quality from last year. This reflects the wet months experienced in many coastal areas, including the above average rainfall in April and May.

Airforce Beach and Main Beach in Evans Head were graded as Good and Shark Bay as Very Good.

The report was not so good for Evans River and Elm Street Bridge North(Evans River) – they were both rated as Poor.

The Beachwatch Partnership Program was established in 2002 with nine local councils monitoring 86 swimming sites along the NSW coast during 2023–2024 which includes Richmond Valley Council and Ballina Shire Council.

The water quality sampling and laboratory analysis are fully funded by each local council.

The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water provides quality assurance support and assistance with community reporting.

These estuarine beaches were graded as Poor this year :

Shaws Bay North, Shaws Bay East, Shaws Bay West, Missingham Beach, Evans River and Elm Street Bridge North (Evans River).

Read the full report here.

This article appeared on indyNR.com on 29 October 2024.