Modification of Upper South Creek Advanced Water Recycling Centre project scope

The environmental flows pipeline was initially planned to support waterway health by releasing highly treated water into the Nepean and Hawkesbury Rivers. However, this will now be achieved by releasing the same water via the Treated Water pipeline, removing the need to build the environmental flows pipeline.

Descoping this pipeline from the project will avoid the environmental and community impacts associated with its construction and operation. This includes potential impacts on some threatened biodiversity and heritage and avoids impacts from construction-related noise and traffic around Wallacia and Warragamba.

Sydney Water prepared a Modification Report to assess the potential impacts of the proposed change. This was publicly exhibited by the Department of Planning and Environment (DPE) from 5 April to 18 April 2023. A total of 10 submissions were received, none of which objected to the proposed modification. We responded to each submission via a Submissions Report.

The modification application was approved by the DPE on 26 May 2023.

Further information, including a copy of the Modification Report, Submissions Report (including a copy of each submission), and DPEs Notice of Determination can be viewed on the DPE Major Projects webpage - MOD 1 - Removal of Environmental Flows Pipeline | Planning Portal - Department of Planning and Environment (nsw.gov.au)