Part of Burnie’s West Beach has been closed to swimmers after water testing revealed elevated bacteria levels.
Burnie City Council issued a public health warning on Friday, advising people not to swim at West Beach West near the playground.
“Council officers are currently investigating the cause,” the council said.
Warning signs have since been erected along the beach.
The closure follows a troubled 2024–25 summer, during which the beach recorded a reading of 1,580 enterococci per 100ml last January – more than 11 times the guideline limit of 140.
That result also prompted a temporary closure at the time, although investigations were unable to determine the source of the contamination.
The council’s latest annual report identified West Beach West as a “priority for targeted monitoring due to recurring elevated results”.
Testing data from last summer showed the site exceeded safe levels on multiple occasions, with readings of 300 in early January and 379 in early February 2025.
Nearby South Burnie Beach also recorded high results during the same 2025 period, peaking at 540 enterococci per 100ml.
The council said fortnightly water sampling would continue throughout the summer months.
“… Once deemed safe the signage will be removed,” it said.
Beachgoers have been urged to check warning signs before entering the water at local beaches.
