Beach-goers in Perth’s north say they’re frustrated by a lack of transparency following the closure of a popular swimming spot due to an outbreak of a potentially harmful algae. Authorities say the bloom was sparked by the recent heatwave, but locals are adamant an offshore sewage pipe is to blame.
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00:00 Ordinarily teeming with ocean lovers of all ages, Mullaloo Beach is now all but deserted,
00:07 with swimmers told to keep out of the water. The cause of the concern, a bloom of trichodesmium,
00:13 a fine algae also known as sea sawdust. Clumps of the brown bloom formed after days of high
00:18 heat, combined with nutrient-rich water, posing a risk to public health.
00:25 Long-term locals believe a sewage outlet pipe some 1,500 metres offshore is largely to blame.
00:31 It's rated by the National Outflow Database as one of the worst in Australia.
00:36 Aerial vision reveals the full extent of the issue. Yesterday's strong northerly winds
00:40 blowing strings of algae back into the beach. It's disappointing and hopefully they'll be
00:46 able to do something quickly to help sort it out.
00:48 It's very unattractive and you don't know what's actually in there.
00:52 Kim Allen has been swimming at Mullaloo every day for decades. He claims concerns about
00:57 the ocean reef pipe have been ignored by authorities for years.
01:01 Frustration, anger and I guess it's this lack of transparency and collaboration between
01:08 agencies and the community.
01:12 Local MP Caitlin Collins is also concerned for the future of the beach, helping to arrange
01:16 a meeting with locals and representatives from the Water Corporation and the Department
01:21 of Water.
01:22 In terms of the algae bloom that we have here at the moment, I've had confirmation from
01:27 Water Corp that it is, you know, there's been no changes in the conditions of the pipeline
01:34 in the last few days.
01:35 The Water Corporation says there's no link between the treated wastewater pipe and the
01:39 algal bloom. The Corporation says the outfall is operating normally and in line with regulations.
01:46 The beach is expected to remain closed until at least early next week.
01:49 [BLANK_AUDIO]