FAQs
- evolution of design
- complexity of construction logistics
- compressed timeframes
- environmental and heritage constraints
- cost rate for deep sewer sections and maintenance holes
Is the projected delayed?
The interim Phase 1 delivery of wastewater infrastructure to service up to 1,700 lots at Austral and Leppington is subject to weather and approvals, we anticipate services to be available for this first phase December 2023.
Phase 2 servicing for this area is linked with the construction of the Upper South Creek Advanced Water Recycling Centre that is due for completion in 2026. By 2026, Sydney Water expects to have expanded the trunk network to service the entire catchment.
Why has the project timeline changed?
Sydney Water received detailed costs which exceed original estimates.
A number of factors have contributed to the cost disparity including:
We recently reassessed the servicing approach and procurement in order to deliver services in a more timely fashion. This has resulted in a change to the timeline with delivery to 1,700 lots through an interim delivery plan.
How do I know if my property is part of the 1,700 lots capacity?
Letters confirming service allocation have been provided to each property’s Water Servicing Coordinator (WSC). If you are developer, you can request a copy of the confirmation letter from your WSC. If you are a purchaser of a property, please contact your developer directly.
The 1,700 lots capacity has now been fully allocated. While no additional capacity beyond the 1,700 lots is currently available, we are investigating opportunities for adding additional capacity ahead of 2026.
Has construction work commenced and when will it be completed?
Construction has now commenced for the Austral and Leppington water and wastewater infrastructure. Weather permitting, we anticipate ongoing construction works and completion for Austral/Leppington Phase 1 in 2023, with services starting to become available in the first half of 2023.
Additional wastewater capacity to service the catchment is expected to be available in 2025 once the Upper South Creek Advanced Water Recycling Centre comes online and service to the entire catchment is forecasted to be completed by 2026. This infrastructure will enable servicing for around 37,000 lots.
Sydney Water has revised its policy for the Bonding of Works (Section 73 Certificates) for Austral. What does this mean?
Subject to arrangements for dependant works being in place, we anticipate being able to bond Section 73 Compliance Certificates up to 6 months before Phase 1 wastewater services are commissioned.
Applications for Section 73 certificates are submitted to Sydney Water by a Developer’s Water Servicing Coordinator. Section 73 certificates are issued to the Developer based on trunk service being available and are also dependant on the development timeframes for the Developer constructing their water and wastewater reticulation system within the development.
Sydney Water believes we will be in a position to offer early release of Section 73 Certificates under bonding arrangements from October 2022.
This is an exception to Sydney Water’s standard Bonding of Works policy for developer works and has been introduced due to the delays experienced by the project.
What are the next steps?
Sydney Water will continue to provide regular updates to the community and stakeholders on the interim and long-term strategy for servicing the entire Austral-Leppington catchment.
We will continue to liaise with Council on the status of development applications. Planning for additional servicing outside the proposed interim servicing area are being examined.
Developer Forum Q&As
What is the forecast date for completion of the 1,700 lot works, net of contingency and what is the duration of contingency allowance?
As per Sydney Water’s announcement on 24 August 2022, the revised servicing date for the Austral Leppington project is December 2023.
The program schedule includes an appropriate level of contingency to accommodate potential inclement weather conditions and any other unprecedented challenges that may occur.
The servicing delay announcement can be read in full here: Austral Leppington Wastewater Stage 3 | Sydney Water Talk
Who will undertake the pump out in Scenario 1?
The design and operation of the interim operating procedure (IOP) is proponent led and funded.
Can you provide an update on the key infrastructure in Upper South Creek - is it currently on schedule for 2026?
The Upper South Creek Advanced Water Recycling Centre is on track to begin providing service from early 2026.
Can we get the Section 73 certificate in October 2022 if construction is already completed?
Sydney Water will be able to issue Section 73 compliance certificates up to six months before our construction works are expected to be completed in December 2023.
If a pre-occupancy IOP is in place, Section 73 certificates may be issues a further three months earlier, making it nine months before construction works are completed.
Can Sydney water provide regular updates on the 1,700 lot package of infrastructure works to help us all plan our works?
Sydney Water will provide developers with quarterly updates on the Austral Leppington delivery program to ensure any potential delays are communicated as the project progresses.
For updates outside of this timeframe, please contact your Account Manager.
Will Sydney Water provide a guideline for the pre-occupy IOP and their requirements for monitoring and control?
Yes – however pre-occupy IOP proponents are invited to engage with Sydney Water on their preliminary designs and not wait for the guidelines to be drafted.
Can developers group together to create a shared localised IOP?
Yes – this would need to be coordinated by those developers.
Do you have number of minimum lots for an IOP to be approved?
No – we do recommend IOP proponents will need to examine the practicality of the IOP scale proposed and assess its commercial impact on their business.
Will more servicing be provided for the Phase 1 Catchment outside of 1700 lots prior 2025?
Sydney Water will continue to investigate opportunities for additional lots in phase 1.
When will Austral stage 3 be fully serviced?
Phase 1 is an interim delivery solution providing wastewater infrastructure to service up to 1,700 lots located at Austral and Leppington.
Phase 2 servicing is linked with the construction of the Upper South Creek Advanced Water Recycling Centre, which is on track to begin providing service from early 2026.
Can developers share the tankering company details for active IOP pumpouts? This will allow for optimisation of the same tanker to be able to service multiple IOPs.
Yes – this would need to be coordinated by those developers.
Even if developers undertake an IOP, they won’t get their application approved nor constructed by June 2023, making it not worth the effort for 26-30 lot sites. Therefore, can Section 73 certificates be issued 12 months instead six months?
Sydney Water believes Pre-occupancy IOPs could be implemented before this timeframe. A pre-occupancy IOP in place could see Sydney Water release Section 73 certificates towards the end of March 2023. It is a commercial decision for developers to consider.
Will Sydney Water provide guidelines on the Pre-occupy IOP with requirements and monitoring systems?
Yes – however Pre-occupy IOP proponents are invited to engage with us on their preliminary designs and not wait for the guidelines to be drafted.
Is the December 2023 forecast completion for the proposed pump station, or for the horizontal carriers?
The revised servicing date of December 2023 for the Austral Leppington project is inclusive of a temporary pump station (SP1211) and reticulated sewer system.
Is Sydney Water fully committed to the revised Section 73 certificate release date of June 2023?
Sydney Water is working to a revised delivery timeline of December 2023.
As previously advised, Sydney Water is willing to release bonded Section 73 certificates six months prior to completion of works so the revised Section 73 certificate release timeline is June 2023.