02/07/2026
UPDATE
❗UPDATE
A dead juvenile whale has washed ashore near Crabbes Creek Beach south of Wooyung Road. Council is preparing to tow it back out to sea on tomorrow morning's high tide.
The decision to tow the carcass was made in line with Council’s draft policy: ‘Management and Disposal of Deceased Large Marine Animals’ which outlines that towing must be considered as the first option. We also referred to the decision matrix in the draft policy which weighs environmental impact, cultural factors, public health and safety, cost, logistical feasibility, legal and compliance considerations, and the time required.
We are preparing to carry the towing out on the high tide tomorrow morning, which is the only safe window for the work. It's a difficult operation and there is a chance it won't be successful. If that happens, we'll reassess and move to the next option under the matrix.
We have been advised by Surf Lifesaving that beaches from back beach Cabarita down to the Tweed-Byron border will be closed until further notice.
