Newcastle City Council says beaches between Stockton and Merewether will remain closed for a fifth consecutive day, following continued sightings of a large great white shark.
Lifeguards say a shark of this size – believed to be five metres and weighing 1700 kilograms – has never been seen before around Newcastle.
It’s been sighted every day since Saturday and was last spotted by a police boat at Burwood beach late yesterday.
Council says it’s waiting for a 24-hour period of no sightings before it reopens beaches.
Anyone eager to swim, is urged to use the ocean baths.