Earlier this year, we let you know about plans to remove vegetation at Maroubra Reservoir/Dam as part of our dam safety work. This work is required to ensure we meet our statutory obligations under the Dam Safety Act.

Due to community feedback, we put this project on hold and placed the Review of Environmental Factors (REF) on public exhibition. This gave the community an opportunity to review our plans and make a submission outlining their concerns.

We’re now reviewing all the submissions and preparing a Decisions Report.

The Decisions Report will consider all issues raised by the community and identify and assess any required changes to the proposed work. When the Decisions Report is complete, we’ll also be finalising the REF.

We expect that we’ll have the Decisions Report finalised by early next year, and we’ll continue to keep you updated.

Our work is planned with the best interests of the community at heart. Safety for our community and the environment is our priority.

If you have any questions, please contact our community engagement team at Delivering4Customers@Sydneywater.com.au.

The consultation period for the Maroubra dam safety project has now closed. Sydney Water will consider all issues raised in submissions and identify and assess any required changes to the proposal before deciding whether to proceed. This will be documented in a Decision Report which will be made available on this web page upon completion.

We have prepared a Review of Environmental Factors (REF) document guided by the Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation, 2021. The REF looks at all the potential benefits and impacts of this project, including environmental impacts.

The REF includes the background of the project and proposed activities and includes an assessment of environmental impacts including:

• biodiversity impacts from vegetation disturbance
• arborist report
• ecological study
• governance and statutory requirements.

The REF also recommends measures to minimise or manage potential impacts during and post project delivery.

How can I have my say?

The consultation period ended at 5pm, Monday 24 June. Thank you to everyone who had their say.

To keep Communities safe, we’re clearing vegetation at Maroubra Reservoir

Maroubra Reservoir is officially classified as a dam, it is an essential Sydney Water asset that provides drinking water to 27,000 homes in the Maroubra area.

Dam safety regulations requires us to clear the embankment around the reservoir from trees, shrubs and other obstructive ground cover.

In accordance with the the Dams Safety Act 2015 and the Dams Safety Regulation 2019, we will be removing vegetation (predominantly trees and shrubs) from dam embankments and within five metres of the base of embankment.. This will allow Sydney Water to effectively assess ground, below ground and structural conditions of our dam and minimise safety and operational risk.

Why this work is essential:

Regular maintenance of dam embankments is required to ensure slope stability and to permit observation of any cracking, sliding or seepage, for example:

• The roots can dislodge joint fillings and penetrate cracks in concrete walls or foundation rock possibly leading to crack widening and concrete or rock deterioration resulting in increased leakage.
• Vegetation roots can disguise absorb and transpire substantial amounts of water and, therefore, could prevent early detection of water leaking through cracks and joints in the wall or foundation.
• Toppling of trees during windstorms can cause damage to the embankment, wall or foundation if substantial material is dislodged with the root system.
• Trees and large shrubs limit access and visibility and prevent effective inspection for early identification of structural issues.
• Vegetation can also provide habitat and cover for ground burrowing or digging animals (eg. foxes, rabbits) that may also impact and threaten the safety of the embankment.

How will cleared areas be rehabilitated?

The cleared areas will be covered by turf and maintained according to vegetation standards for our dam assets. This will enable us to carry out regular inspections and maintenance.

At Maroubra we will:

• Relocate suitable native plants away from the clearance zone and towards the perimeter of the site.
• Plant non-invasive endemic vegetation outside the clearance zone
• Install habitat boxes to support local bird and bat populations.
• Undertake offset planting in collaboration with Randwick Council to ensure the preservation and enhancement of green spaces and habitat corridors in the area.