3 months ago
7
Dredging has turned the colour of the sea at St Kilda beach jet black, but authorities say there is no immediate threat to people’s health or the environment.
A broken sewage pipe in nearby Acland Street is contributing to the foul odour caused by the dredging.
People have been advised not to swim at St Kilda or touch the water while dredging is under way.Credit: Joe Armao
St Kilda Marina has been dredging at the entrance channel near Blessington Street since Monday, as part of a week-long operation to deepen the channel to allow vessels to pass unhindered.
Marina manager Judi Finn said the discolouration of the sand – which also turns the water black during dredging – was normal.
“We do sand testing prior to any dredging works being done so we know it’s not contaminated,” she told this masthead.
“It comes out black and once it goes onto the beach they spread it out, and it dries and oxidises, and then it turns white.”
Dredging at the entrance of the St Kilda Marina channel on Wednesday.Credit: Joe Armao
The deep colour of the sand comes from naturally occurring organic material, including decomposed plants and animals on the sea floor. As it is dredged up, sulphur is also released, contributing to the strong smell.
Workers are currently dumping the dredged sand onto the beach at Shakespeare Grove, near Luna Park. While it is smelly – locals on social media describe it as sulphuric, like rotten eggs – the Environmental Protection Authority said it should dissipate within days.
“There’s a sewage pipe that’s broken up in Acland Street as well,” Finn said.
“So I don’t know whether or not that is contributing to the smell in the area.”
Dredged sand being dumped onto the beach at St Kilda on Wednesday.Credit: Joe Armao
Environment Protection Authority (EPA) beach pollution data compiled for this masthead last month showed the overall water quality in Port Phillip Bay over the 2024-25 summer was ranked as “good” 71 per cent of the time, “fair” 19 per cent of the time, and “poor” 10 per cent of the time.
In Melbourne last summer, St Kilda consistently ranked as having the poorest-quality water, closely followed by Port Melbourne, Mentone and Beaumaris.
Loading
The EPA said it was making inquiries into the broken sewage pipe and monitoring dredging operations.
It recommended people avoid contact with the water while it is discoloured, due to the risk of high microbial levels.
It expects the impacts of the dredging to be short-lived.
To check where it’s safe to swim this summer, visit the EPA’s water quality site.
Most Viewed in National
Loading
