Whale burial at Turners Beach raises residents' concerns

Tasmania's Parks and Wildlife Service has buried a 10-metre sperm whale at Turners Beach, prompting concerns from some residents about possible water contamination and sharks near swimming areas.

The whale died after becoming stranded in shallow water in the state's north-west. Staff had spent much of the day attempting to save it. It was later buried in vegetation near the beach's western end, with samples collected for research.

A service spokesperson said the disposal decision followed planning and consultation with landholders, councils and the Environment Protection Authority. The service considered the location preferable on environmental and public amenity grounds to burial on the beach or allowing the carcass to decompose there.

The service said it would monitor the site and address any problems that arose.

Resident Greg Tompos said he feared the carcass could attract sharks near places where children swim. He said Camp Clayton, which hosts children's groups, was only a couple of hundred metres away.

Kate Wylie, a resident seeking re-election as a Central Coast councillor, said she had raised community concerns with authorities, including fears about material leaching into the water. She said residents had received little explanation of how the burial decision was made and wanted lessons from the response to inform future strandings.