A mysterious blue liquid found seeping out of a cliff face at Malabar Beach last Friday 14 November 2014 has been identified as a dye which is used on a nearby golf course.

Laboratory test results received today confirm water samples taken just west of the Malabar Ocean Pool last week contain nitrates, phosphorus and potassium which is indicative of a fertiliser. Coloured dyes are sometimes mixed with fertilisers to help with the application process over large spaces.

The dye is not classified as hazardous by Worksafe Australia Criteria. According to the dye's Material Safety Data Sheet, the health effects associated with the dye are short-term and no chronic or long term effects are known or expected.

As temperatures across Sydney soared into the high 30s last Friday, it appears as though over-watering caused the dye to seep through the ground and run-off to the nearby bay.

The leaking blue liquid forced the closure of Malabar Beach and Ocean Pool over the weekend as a precaution while further investigations took place.

Randwick City Council and NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) staff met onsite yesterday with staff from the Randwick Golf Club and reviewed their maintenance and chemical application processes.

The club has been proactive in working with authorities to review and improve their systems.

The club will be issued with a Prevention Notice under the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 requiring them to undertake works to prevent future pollution incidents.

Both Randwick City Council and the EPA are satisfied with the response and follow up action from the club. No fines will be issued at this stage.

Media enquiries:
Bessie Hassan - 0402 567 568 or bessie.hassan@randwick.nsw.gov.au
Joshua Hay - 0402 351 459 or joshua.hay@randwick.nsw.gov.au