NSW beaches are, overall, the cleanest they've been in years but there are concerns about swimming spots in Sydney and on the Central Coast.
The state's annual State of the Beach report has, for the first time since 2010, rated 85 per cent of NSW beaches as good or very good.
"There have been improvements across the board," Environment Minister Gabrielle Upton said in a statement on Sunday.
She said estuarine swimming sites have never been so clean, and 98 per cent of ocean beaches and four out of five ocean baths were shown to be clean and safe.
However, Terrigal Beach on the Central Coast and Malabar Beach in Sydney were graded as poor, as were twelve of 78 estuarine beaches.
"As a general precaution swimming should be avoided at ocean beaches during and for up to one day after rainfall, or if there are signs of stormwater pollution such as discoloured water, flowing stormwater drains or floating debris," the report said.
Ms Upton said the report showed there was still work to be done.
"According to the report, coastal lakes, lagoons and estuarine swimming spots were adversely affected by heavy rainfall," she said.
There were are also concerns about Sydney Harbour beaches with the NSW government working with relevant councils on a coastal management program for the area, Ms Upton said.
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