NSW beaches are the cleanest they have ever been in nearly a decade, according to the recent Beachwatch report. 

The report revealed that for the first time since 2010, 85 per cent of NSW swimming sites have been rated as ‘good’ or ‘very good’. 

The annual Beachwatch report informs the community with the cleanliness of the water and the best place and time to swim by looking at the water quality of beaches and other swimming locations.  

Overall, 81 per cent of estuarine swimming sites were rated as good or very good and 98 per cent of ocean beaches were labelled as ‘clean’ and ‘safe’. 

In detail, 90 per cent of the 97 Sydney region swimming sites were rated good or very good with improved water quality at seven sites. 

Moreover, 78 per cent of the 18 North Coast swimming sites were also rated good or very good, with only two sites downgraded. 

Impressively, 100 per cent of the 21 Illawarra beaches and 35 South Coast region sites were rated good or very good. 

However, only 53 per cent of the 32 Central Coast swimming sites were rated good or very good, which was a decline from the previous year. 

Environment Minister Gabrielle Upton also commented on some concerning issues.  

“According to the report, coastal lakes, lagoons and estuarine swimming spots were adversely affected by heavy rainfall,” Ms Upton said. 

“There are also concerns about some Sydney Harbour beaches and the NSW Government is working with the relevant councils to develop a whole of Sydney Harbour coastal management program to achieve similar outcomes on a city-wide basis,” she added. 

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