Newcastle Beaches Lead NSW in Water Quality, Offering Safe Waters for Summer

Newcastle’s beaches have once again set the standard for water quality in New South Wales, with all seven of the city’s monitored swim sites earning a “Very Good” rating in the latest State of the Beaches 2023-2024 report. The assessment, conducted by the NSW Beachwatch program, indicates that beaches including South Stockton, Nobbys, Newcastle, Bar, Merewether, Burwood North, and Burwood South are safe for swimming almost all year round, maintaining high standards for many years.

This “Very Good” grade is determined based on routine water sampling under Beachwatch, which measures enterococci bacteria levels, a reliable indicator of faecal contamination. These samples, collected every few days across the year, ensure up-to-date data on water quality, allowing swimmers to make informed choices. The data also helps identify periods when rainfall or other factors may temporarily affect water conditions, a particular focus of Beachwatch in the Newcastle region where rainfall patterns can vary significantly between seasons.

“The latest results confirm what we’ve long known—Newcastle’s beaches are among the best for clean, safe swimming,” said Tim Crakanthorp, Member for Newcastle. He encouraged beachgoers to monitor the daily forecasts provided by Beachwatch to enhance safety during peak swimming months. “With such readily accessible information, everyone can swim with confidence this summer.”

Newcastle’s success reflects years of environmental and infrastructure initiatives aimed at reducing beach pollution. These include improved stormwater management systems and regular water testing under the Beachwatch Partnership Program, which has allowed Newcastle to address pollution sources promptly. Beaches around Newcastle have consistently met high water quality standards since the monitoring began in 1996, with improvements noted as water treatment measures advanced.

Beachwatch’s pollution forecasts and star ratings for beaches across NSW are accessible on their website, as well as through social media channels like X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook. The ongoing updates are part of Beachwatch’s commitment to public health, providing Newcastle’s residents and visitors with daily insights into beach safety.

More Information: For further details on the State of the Beaches 2023-2024 and specific water quality ratings, visit Beachwatch.