Refresh Vaucluse and Diamond Bay
Below the cliffs of Vaucluse and Diamond Bay, wastewater flows directly into the ocean untreated.
It’s time for change and we’re continuing to work to ensure this iconic area of Sydney gets the clean, blue backyard it deserves. Under the Refresh Vaucluse Diamond Bay project we are building new infrastructure to divert the flows from the last three remaining ocean outfalls in Sydney to the Bondi Resource Recovery Facility (WRRF).
The project scope includes:
- two new pump stations (one in Parsley Bay and one in Eastern Reserve)
- 3km of new wastewater pipelines
- upgrade existing infrastructure such us vent shafts and man holes
Whilst challenging, we know this is the right thing to do and we need you to get involved as we fix this problem once and for all.
Refreshing the wastewater system in Vaucluse and Diamond Bay offers multiple benefits—improving the harbour and coastal water quality, as well as protecting the health of the community and marine ecology.
The project is currently in detailed design with construction expected to start in 2024.
Below the cliffs of Vaucluse and Diamond Bay, wastewater flows directly into the ocean untreated.
It’s time for change and we’re continuing to work to ensure this iconic area of Sydney gets the clean, blue backyard it deserves. Under the Refresh Vaucluse Diamond Bay project we are building new infrastructure to divert the flows from the last three remaining ocean outfalls in Sydney to the Bondi Resource Recovery Facility (WRRF).
The project scope includes:
- two new pump stations (one in Parsley Bay and one in Eastern Reserve)
- 3km of new wastewater pipelines
- upgrade existing infrastructure such us vent shafts and man holes
Whilst challenging, we know this is the right thing to do and we need you to get involved as we fix this problem once and for all.
Refreshing the wastewater system in Vaucluse and Diamond Bay offers multiple benefits—improving the harbour and coastal water quality, as well as protecting the health of the community and marine ecology.
The project is currently in detailed design with construction expected to start in 2024.
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Project update - June 2018
Share Project update - June 2018 on Facebook Share Project update - June 2018 on Twitter Share Project update - June 2018 on Linkedin Email Project update - June 2018 linkCommunity Reference Group Meeting #1
Our Community Reference Group (CRG) had its first meeting on Tuesday 29 May. It was a great opportunity for our team to meet community representatives from across the peninsula and to share the purpose of the group:
· “To enable Sydney Water to better understand community expectations for the Vaucluse and Diamond Bay Ocean Outfalls so that community values can be included in the decision-making for the long-term solution”
The meeting helped to set the scene - the background to this project, the findings of Sydney Water’s recent pollution study and how Sydney Water and the CRG will work together to review and refine possible solutions.
Key points raised during the meeting:
Drivers for the project
- The pollution study found there was a very high risk to public health and high risk to the environment from the outfalls, which is unacceptable to Sydney Water.
- Sydney Water has an opportunity to fix this ongoing problem of the outfalls.
- Many in the community would be surprised to hear that the wastewater from the ocean outfalls is untreated – they would strongly support Sydney Water moving ahead with a solution.
- Nearby swimming beaches have good water quality for swimming and Sydney Water is monitoring water quality near the outfalls.
How we find a solution
- The solution needs to minimise impacts to the community and be affordable.
- The cost/benefit of options will be a key factor for discussion during our second meeting.
- The review of options needs to consider community values across the whole project area – from Watsons Bay, Vaucluse to Dover Heights and Rose Bay North.
- Solutions need to be assessed based on a range of factors including local/wider community benefit, public health, aesthetics, community and other stakeholder support, environmental improvement, cost to Sydney Water’s customers, community disturbance in construction and operation, future needs, best practice and learnings from other projects, new technologies and financial responsibility.
Community engagement
- The whole community needs to get involved and understand why this project is needed
- CRG members will discuss what they’ve learnt with their groups, neighbours and friends and encourage involvement in the discussions
Community Reference Group Meeting #2
The CRG will meet again on Tuesday 3 July to give feedback on a range of potential solutions. We will summarise the outcomes of that meeting here on Sydney Water Talk.
We will share details and seek feedback from the wider community about feasible options later in July. Look out for a project update in your letterbox or check Sydney Water Talk in July for more details.
Tell us what you think
It's not too late to let us know what you value about life on the peninsula. Information gathered through our online poll and issues mapping tool will help our team and the CRG understand community values when assessing the initial long list of possible solutions.
Community Reference Group Membership
Our CRG members:
- Allan Aaron, Vaucluse resident and convener of the Vaucluse / Diamond Bay Precinct Committee
- Bruce Bland, Rose Bay resident and Vice President of Rose Bay Residents Association
- Tony Booth, Vaucluse resident and member of Vaucluse Progress Association
- Peter Cappe, Dover Heights resident and member of the Dover Heights Precinct Committee
- Dov Frazer, Dover Heights resident, convener of the Dover Heights Precinct Committee and member of the Bondi Wastewater Treatment Plant Community Consultative Committee
- Leon Goltsman, Vaucluse resident and Waverley Councillor for Bondi Ward
- Ron Nothman, Dover Heights resident and member of the Dover Heights Precinct Committee
- Terry Pullinger, Vaucluse resident
- Peter Quartly, North Bondi resident and convenor of the North Bondi Precinct Committee and member of the Bondi Wastewater Treatment Plant Community Consultative Committee
- Bruce Thom, Vaucluse resident and Chair of NSW Coastal Council
- Susan Wynne, Vaucluse resident and Deputy Mayor of Woollahra Council (Vaucluse Ward)
- Bob Steele, Vaucluse resident
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Community Reference Group
Share Community Reference Group on Facebook Share Community Reference Group on Twitter Share Community Reference Group on Linkedin Email Community Reference Group linkCLOSED: This discussion has concluded.The wastewater system on the South Head Peninsula is different from the rest of Sydney. It's the only system that doesn't treat wastewater before it gets discharged back into the ocean. It's also the last system of its kind in NSW and it's about time we did something about it.
Fixing it won't be easy, it's a complex system.
That's why we need to work together to come up with a solution that minimises impact on the community, maximises environmental benefits and is affordable. We’re forming a Community Reference Group (CRG) to help us understand what the local community thinks as we plan how we'll improve the wastewater system on the South Head Peninsula and bring it up to the same standard enjoyed by the rest of Sydney.
If this sounds like something you'd be interested in joining, email us at vauclusediamondbay@sydneywater.com.au for an information pack. We look forward to hearing from you.
Who's Listening
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Community Engagement Team
Phone 1800 641 349 Email vauclusediamondbay@sydneywater.com.au
Photo Gallery
Newsletters
- Newsletter - October 2023 (3.02 MB) (pdf)
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Previous Newsletters
- Newsletter- December 2022 (1.04 MB) (pdf)
- Newsletter- April 2022 (3.43 MB) (pdf)
- New amenities in Parsley Bay - December 2021 (1.01 MB) (pdf)
- New amenities in Parsley Bay - September 2021 (2.55 MB) (pdf)
- Newsletter Parsley Bay - March 2021 (603 KB) (pdf)
- Newsletter June 2020 (1.03 MB) (pdf)
- Newsletter - December 2019 (560 KB) (pdf)
- Newsletter - August 2019 (214 KB) (pdf)
- Newsletter- August 2018 (1.45 MB) (pdf)
- Newsletter - April 2018 (1 MB) (pdf)
- February 2024 newsletter (1.99 MB) (pdf)
FAQs
- Project overview
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Parsley Bay
- What are we delivering in Parsley Bay?
- What other options were considered?
- Why was Parsley Bay selected for the new pump station location?
- What will the new pump station look like?
- How does the pump station work?
- How did you assess the project?
- How will the local environment be protected?
- Will there be any construction work in the marine area?
- How many trees will be removed in Parsley Bay?
- Will Sydney Water replace any trees and vegetation that are removed during the project?
- Will removing vegetation impact my privacy?
- Are the current wastewater overflows being fixed?
- What will happen to the amenities block in Parsley Bay?
- When will construction start on the new amenities block at Parsley Bay?
- Will there be access to the Kiosk area during construction?
- Will there be a loss of car spaces at Parsley Bay carpark?
- How will construction be managed?
- Will I be able to access the Parsley Bay swimming and recreational areas during construction?
- What are the next steps on the project?
- What will happen to the stormwater during the project?
- Is this project related to works at Neilsen Park?
- Eastern Reserve
- Community Engagement
- Construction approach
- Site office, Dover Heights
Related Documents
- Community Consultation Outcomes Report- 50% Detailed Design - September 2022 (26.4 MB) (pdf)
- REF Decision Report - December 2020 (7.63 MB) (pdf)
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Review of Environmental Factors - June 2020
- Review of Environmental Factors - Report + Appendix A&B (4.57 MB) (pdf)
- Appendix C - Flora and Fauna Assessment (Arborist) (4.88 MB) (pdf)
- Appendix C - Flora and Fauna Assessment (Biodiversity) (16.7 MB) (pdf)
- Appendix C - Flora and Fauna Assessment (Marine) (4.99 MB) (pdf)
- Appendix D - Statement of Heritage Impact (11.7 MB) (pdf)
- Appendix E - Noise and Vibration Assessment (45.5 MB) (pdf)
- Appendix F - Traffic Impact Assessment (5.35 MB) (pdf)
- Archive