Upper South Creek Advanced Water Recycling Centre
Sydney Water is building the Upper South Creek Advanced Water Recycling Centre (AWRC) in Kemps Creek and associated pipelines to support population and economic growth in Western Sydney.
Construction Information
Our delivery partner, John Holland, is building the AWRC, a treated water pipeline from Kemps Creek to the Nepean River at Wallacia and a brine water pipeline from Kemps Creek to our existing wastewater network at Lansdowne. The pipelines are built underground, mostly in road reserves and public spaces. Some sections of pipeline will need to be installed across private properties.
Construction is underway in parts of Badgerys Creek, Bonnyrigg, Bonnyrigg Heights, Cabramatta, Cabramatta West, Canley Heights, Canley Vale, Cecil Hills, Cecil Park, Elizabeth Hills, Fairfield, Green Valley, Kemps Creek, Lansdowne, Lansvale, Luddenham, Mount Pritchard, Mulgoa and Wallacia.
Our standard working hours are 7 am to 6 pm Monday to Friday and 8 am to 1 pm Saturday. We will notify affected people in advance if we need to work outside these hours.
John Holland is working hard to minimise disturbance however some people may experience temporary traffic changes and construction impacts, mostly from machinery that will be used to dig trenches and lay pipes. Construction of the pipelines will occur until late 2025.
When completed in 2026, the AWRC will deliver sustainable wastewater services and high-quality recycled water to support a cooler, greener Western Parkland City, with a wide range of benefits for the entire community.
Community Benefits
Key benefits for the local community include:
- efficient and cost-effective wastewater services
- producing high-quality, recycled water for a range of potential reuses
- potential to recycle organic waste to generate energy
- protecting local waterways and aquatic ecosystems via environmental flows
- producing biosolids for an alternative to chemical fertilisers in agriculture
- enhancing biodiversity by greening Western Sydney with recycled water
- supporting the vision for the Western Parkland City, to create quality places for the community, keep water resources in the catchment to support greening and reduce heat island effects
- generating renewable energy within the AWRC
- a centre that can respond to changes in demand as our community grows.
The AWRC is Sydney Water’s largest infrastructure investment in Western Sydney and when competed will provide a foundation for a circular economy hub in the Parkland City.
Planning Process
In 2021, Sydney Water prepared an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to describe the project and assess its environmental and community impacts.
The EIS was submitted to the Department of Planning and Environment (DPE) and put on public exhibition from 21 October to Wednesday 17 November 2021, giving the community an opportunity to review and make submissions on the findings presented in the document. DPE provided planning approval on 28 November 2022.
To learn more about the project’s planning process and approval, visit DPE’s Major Projects Planning Portal where you will find the below documentation:
- Environmental Impact Statement
- Submissions Report
- Amendment Report
- Submission Report – Project Amendments
- Minister’s Conditions of Approval
Please visit this page regularly for updates as the project progresses through its construction phase.
Sydney Water is building the Upper South Creek Advanced Water Recycling Centre (AWRC) in Kemps Creek and associated pipelines to support population and economic growth in Western Sydney.
Construction Information
Our delivery partner, John Holland, is building the AWRC, a treated water pipeline from Kemps Creek to the Nepean River at Wallacia and a brine water pipeline from Kemps Creek to our existing wastewater network at Lansdowne. The pipelines are built underground, mostly in road reserves and public spaces. Some sections of pipeline will need to be installed across private properties.
Construction is underway in parts of Badgerys Creek, Bonnyrigg, Bonnyrigg Heights, Cabramatta, Cabramatta West, Canley Heights, Canley Vale, Cecil Hills, Cecil Park, Elizabeth Hills, Fairfield, Green Valley, Kemps Creek, Lansdowne, Lansvale, Luddenham, Mount Pritchard, Mulgoa and Wallacia.
Our standard working hours are 7 am to 6 pm Monday to Friday and 8 am to 1 pm Saturday. We will notify affected people in advance if we need to work outside these hours.
John Holland is working hard to minimise disturbance however some people may experience temporary traffic changes and construction impacts, mostly from machinery that will be used to dig trenches and lay pipes. Construction of the pipelines will occur until late 2025.
When completed in 2026, the AWRC will deliver sustainable wastewater services and high-quality recycled water to support a cooler, greener Western Parkland City, with a wide range of benefits for the entire community.
Community Benefits
Key benefits for the local community include:
- efficient and cost-effective wastewater services
- producing high-quality, recycled water for a range of potential reuses
- potential to recycle organic waste to generate energy
- protecting local waterways and aquatic ecosystems via environmental flows
- producing biosolids for an alternative to chemical fertilisers in agriculture
- enhancing biodiversity by greening Western Sydney with recycled water
- supporting the vision for the Western Parkland City, to create quality places for the community, keep water resources in the catchment to support greening and reduce heat island effects
- generating renewable energy within the AWRC
- a centre that can respond to changes in demand as our community grows.
The AWRC is Sydney Water’s largest infrastructure investment in Western Sydney and when competed will provide a foundation for a circular economy hub in the Parkland City.
Planning Process
In 2021, Sydney Water prepared an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to describe the project and assess its environmental and community impacts.
The EIS was submitted to the Department of Planning and Environment (DPE) and put on public exhibition from 21 October to Wednesday 17 November 2021, giving the community an opportunity to review and make submissions on the findings presented in the document. DPE provided planning approval on 28 November 2022.
To learn more about the project’s planning process and approval, visit DPE’s Major Projects Planning Portal where you will find the below documentation:
- Environmental Impact Statement
- Submissions Report
- Amendment Report
- Submission Report – Project Amendments
- Minister’s Conditions of Approval
Please visit this page regularly for updates as the project progresses through its construction phase.
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Upper South Creek Advanced Water Recycling Centre and Pipelines
Share Upper South Creek Advanced Water Recycling Centre and Pipelines on Facebook Share Upper South Creek Advanced Water Recycling Centre and Pipelines on Twitter Share Upper South Creek Advanced Water Recycling Centre and Pipelines on Linkedin Email Upper South Creek Advanced Water Recycling Centre and Pipelines linkSurvey and ground investigations in your area from November 2022
Sydney Water is planning to construct the Upper South Creek Advanced Water Recycling Centre (AWRC) in Kemps Creek and associated pipelines to support predicted population and economic growth in Western Sydney, including designated growth areas known as South West Growth Area and Western Sydney Aerotropolis Growth Area.
We need to survey the land, locate underground services and confirm ground conditions to inform the detailed design of the project. Our investigations will happen at the AWRC site off Clifton Avenue in Kemps Creek and along two pipeline corridors, from Kemps Creek to Wallacia in the west and from Kemps Creek to Lansdowne in the east.
From November 2022 until early 2023, you may see us working in public spaces like footpaths, parks and road reserves. Our work hours are 7 am to 6 pm Monday to Friday and 8 am to 1 pm on Saturdays. We will not work on public holidays.
We will also need to enter a small number of private properties to complete our investigations. Our delivery partner, John Holland Group, will contact directly affected landowners and residents at least 14 days before work needs to happen on private property. We will work with you to confirm access arrangements and suitable times.
To reduce traffic disruption and to ensure the safety of our workers and the community, we may need to work in some busy roads at night for short periods. We will provide advanced notice to nearby residents and will explain how we will reduce impacts from our work.
To know more, please email us at uppersouthcreek@sydneywater.com.au or call our friendly community relations team on 1800 064 127.
Thank you for your understanding during this work.
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Upper South Creek AWRC Amendment Report open for comment
Share Upper South Creek AWRC Amendment Report open for comment on Facebook Share Upper South Creek AWRC Amendment Report open for comment on Twitter Share Upper South Creek AWRC Amendment Report open for comment on Linkedin Email Upper South Creek AWRC Amendment Report open for comment linkAn Amendment Report to Sydney Water’s Upper South Creek AWRC Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is going on public exhibition on the NSW Department of Planning and Environment (DPE) website from Wednesday, 23 March until Tuesday, 5 April.
The Amendment Report reflects seven minor amendments to the project that were made based on feedback from partners and stakeholders. They include minor realignments of the treated water and brine pipelines, and a change to the AWRC site boundary.
DPE will consider any submissions received about the Amendment Report when making a decision about the project.
Please note, Sydney Water’s Amendment Report is not a response to EIS submissions. A separate Submissions Report is currently being prepared by Sydney Water to address submissions received during last year’s EIS exhibition period.
All Upper South Creek AWRC EIS documents are still available at the Upper South Creek Planning Portal page if you wish to review them.
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Upper South Creek AWRC EIS Overview Brochure CALD
Share Upper South Creek AWRC EIS Overview Brochure CALD on Facebook Share Upper South Creek AWRC EIS Overview Brochure CALD on Twitter Share Upper South Creek AWRC EIS Overview Brochure CALD on Linkedin Email Upper South Creek AWRC EIS Overview Brochure CALD linkTo support the exhibition of the Upper South Creek and AWRC Environmental Impact Statement, Sydney Water has developed a brochure that summarises the EIS.
We have also translated the brochure into Arabic, Simplified Chinese and Vietnamese.
The CALD versions are available to download on Sydney Water Talk
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Community Information Sessions
Share Community Information Sessions on Facebook Share Community Information Sessions on Twitter Share Community Information Sessions on Linkedin Email Community Information Sessions linkSydney Water hosted two online information sessions during the exhibition period to help the community better understand the impacts outlined in the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).
The sessions were held Friday, 29 October 2021 and Thursday, 4 November 2021 providing the community with an opportunity to meet with the project team, find out more about the project and ask questions.
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NSW Department of Industry, Planning and Environment EIS Exhibition
Share NSW Department of Industry, Planning and Environment EIS Exhibition on Facebook Share NSW Department of Industry, Planning and Environment EIS Exhibition on Twitter Share NSW Department of Industry, Planning and Environment EIS Exhibition on Linkedin Email NSW Department of Industry, Planning and Environment EIS Exhibition linkNSW Department of Industry, Planning and Environment (DPIE) is currently exhibiting the Upper South Creek and AWRC Environmental Impact Statement for public comment. The EIS assesses the project’s impacts and outlines how they will be managed.
Sydney Water has developed a brochure that summarises the EIS. You can read it here.
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Culturally and Linguistically Diverse online community information sessions
Share Culturally and Linguistically Diverse online community information sessions on Facebook Share Culturally and Linguistically Diverse online community information sessions on Twitter Share Culturally and Linguistically Diverse online community information sessions on Linkedin Email Culturally and Linguistically Diverse online community information sessions linkSydney Water held three culturally and linguistically diverse online community information sessions to allow members of the community to get an update on the project, ask questions, and tell us what they thought about the project.
The three online sessions were held in Arabic, Vietnamese and Chinese.
Details of these sessions:
- Arabic: Friday, 16 July
- Vietnamese: Friday, 23 July
- Chinese: Saturday, 24 July
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SYDNEY LOCKDOWN: Luddenham pop up stall postponed
Share SYDNEY LOCKDOWN: Luddenham pop up stall postponed on Facebook Share SYDNEY LOCKDOWN: Luddenham pop up stall postponed on Twitter Share SYDNEY LOCKDOWN: Luddenham pop up stall postponed on Linkedin Email SYDNEY LOCKDOWN: Luddenham pop up stall postponed linkWe postponed the community pop up information session at Luddenham Village Café (3035 The Northern Road, Luddenham NSW 2745) that was scheduled for Saturday, 3 July due to the Sydney Lockdown.
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Mulgoa and Cabramatta pop up stalls postponed due to COVID-19
Share Mulgoa and Cabramatta pop up stalls postponed due to COVID-19 on Facebook Share Mulgoa and Cabramatta pop up stalls postponed due to COVID-19 on Twitter Share Mulgoa and Cabramatta pop up stalls postponed due to COVID-19 on Linkedin Email Mulgoa and Cabramatta pop up stalls postponed due to COVID-19 linkWith the safety of the community and our people top of mind, due to the evolving COVID-19 situation in Sydney, we postponed the following community pop up information sessions:
- Saturday, 26 June at Settlers Café in Mulgoa
- Tuesday, 29 June in Cabramatta Plaza
- Thursday, 1 July in Cabramatta Plaza
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Coming to a café, shop or hall near you
Share Coming to a café, shop or hall near you on Facebook Share Coming to a café, shop or hall near you on Twitter Share Coming to a café, shop or hall near you on Linkedin Email Coming to a café, shop or hall near you linkSydney Water hosted multiple 'pop-up' information sessions between Saturday 5 June 2021 and Saturday 3rd July 2021, where the community were given the opportunity to come and meet the team and tell us what they thought about the proposed Advanced Water Recycling Centre’s design.
The centre in Kemps Creek, just north of Elizabeth Drive, will provide essential wastewater services for West and South West Sydney for generations to come.
To do this we also need to install two new pipes, one running 17km west and another 24km east.
The 'pop-up' information sessions were critical in allowing us to minimise any potential disruptions in the neighbourhood.
If you missed these sessions and still want to tell us what you think, email us at uppersouthcreek@sydneywater.com.au or call 1800 064 127.
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Online information sessions
Share Online information sessions on Facebook Share Online information sessions on Twitter Share Online information sessions on Linkedin Email Online information sessions linkSydney Water hosted four online information sessions to allow the community to hear more about the Upper South Creek project.
Online session 1: Thursday 18 February 2021.
This session was designed for community interested in the proposed Upper South Creek Advanced Water Recycling Centre. This included community who live and work close to the future centre in Kemps Creek, near Mamre Road and Elizabeth Drive, and the surrounding suburbs of Badgerys Creek, Luddenham and Penrith.
Online session 2: Friday 19 February 2021.
This session was designed for community who live and work in Mulgoa, Wallacia and Warragamba.
Online session 3: Monday 22 February 2021.
This session was designed for community who live and work near the M7 and Western Sydney Parklands, Abbotsbury, Cecil Park, Cecil Hills and nearby suburbs.
Online session 4: Tuesday 23 February 2021.
This session was designed for community who live and work at Bonnyrigg, Bonnyrigg Heights, Busby, Cabramatta, Cabramatta West, Edensor Park, Fairfield, Lansdowne, Mount Prichard, and nearby suburbs.
Who's Listening
To find out more about this project please contact us:
Phone 1800 064 127 (complaints and enquiries line)
Email uppersouthcreek@sydneywater.com.au
Post Upper South Creek Project
PO Box 160
Kemps Creek NSW 2178
Newsletters and Notifications
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One Month Work Look Ahead Notification - February 2025.pdf (339 KB) (pdf)
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One Month Work Look Ahead Notification - January 2025.pdf (318 KB) (pdf)
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One Month Work Look Ahead Notification - December 2024.pdf (341 KB) (pdf)
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One Month Work Look Ahead Notification - November 2024.pdf (343 KB) (pdf)
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One Month Work Look Ahead Notification - October 2024.pdf (358 KB) (pdf)
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One Month Work Look Ahead Notification - September 2024.pdf (347 KB) (pdf)
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One Month Work Look Ahead Notification - August 2024.pdf (1.08 MB) (pdf)
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Noise and Vibration Fact Sheet.pdf (215 KB) (pdf)
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Past one month look ahead notifications
FAQs - Project Overview
- What is the project’s scope?
- Who is delivering the project?
- What are the project’s benefits?
- What areas will be serviced by the AWRC?
- How much water will be processed per day?
- How will wastewater reach the AWRC?
- How can I connect to wastewater services?
- How can I get access to recycled water?
- How can I find out more about water treatment, wastewater and recycled water?
FAQs - Project Planning and Environmental Impacts
- Will the treated water released from the AWRC cause flooding or make flooding events worse?
- What are the benefits of environmental flows?
- What about flora and fauna? Will they be impacted by construction?
- Will the new infrastructure cause odour issues?
- What is circular economy?
- What is an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)?
- Why does Sydney Water need to remove trees along Park Road?
- Could the treated water pipe have been placed somewhere else?
- Will Sydney Water be replanting the vegetation that was removed?
FAQs - Construction Approach
- What it is the project’s timeline?
- How will you minimise construction impacts?
- Will Sydney Water need to take out easements or acquire land for the project?
- Will there be increased truck movements and road closures?
- Will there be noise and vibration impacts during construction?
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AWRC
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Pipelines
- What construction techniques will you be using for the pipelines?
- Where do the pipelines go?
Related Documents
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Community and Stakeholder Engagement Plan (CSEP) (Rev E).pdf (5.91 MB) (pdf)
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Upper South Creek AWRC and Pipelines Annual Sustainability Report 2024.pdf (17.7 MB) (pdf)
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Upper South Creek AWRC and Pipelines Construction Mitigation Measures.pdf (166 KB) (pdf)
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Upper South Creek AWRC EIS Overview Brochure.pdf (3.83 MB) (pdf)
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Upper South Creek AWRC EIS Brochure Vietnamese (1.59 MB) (pdf)
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Upper South Creek AWRC EIS Brochure Simplified Chinese (1.64 MB) (pdf)
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Upper South Creek AWRC EIS Brochure Arabic (1.6 MB) (pdf)
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Upper South Creek AWRC Stage 1 - Staging Report (1.26 MB) (pdf)
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Upper South Creek Urban Design Landscape Plan Stage 1 November 2023.pdf (31.5 MB) (pdf)
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Department of Planning and Environment_Approval of UDLP.pdf (406 KB) (pdf)
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Upper South Creek AWRC Independent Environment Compliance Audit (13 MB) (pdf)
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Upper South Creek AWRC Sydney Water Response to Independent Audit Findings (29 KB) (pdf)
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Key Policies and Procedures - complaints.pdf (60.7 KB) (pdf)
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Managing Director's letter to the community (122 KB) (pdf)
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Approvals and Licences
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EPL_21800.pdf (451 KB) (pdf)
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DPE Approval Letter (142 KB) (pdf)
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Commonwealth Notification of Approval EPBC 2020-8816.pdf (2.11 MB) (pdf)
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Conditions of Approval - Upper South Creek AWRC (1.86 MB) (pdf)
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Conditions of Approval MOD2 - Upper South Creek AWRC.pdf (1.53 MB) (pdf)
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L11 (0503 2307 SWC USC AWRC Pipelines RAP) Rev 0.pdf (8.38 MB) (pdf)
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240324 - Approval of Plan Strategy or Study - RAP - Signed.pdf (193 KB) (pdf)
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0677828_JH USC Pipelines RAP_Final_rev01.pdf (10 MB) (pdf)
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Upper South Creek EPL 21800 Premise Maps_Rev 08 March 2024.pdf (3.94 MB) (pdf)
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Water Access Licence - WAL44922.pdf (229 KB) (pdf)
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Maps
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Construction Management Plans
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Construction Environmental Management Plan (CEMP) (Rev B).pdf (12.4 MB) (pdf)
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Noise and Vibration CEMP Sub-plan (Rev D).pdf (59 MB) (pdf)
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Upper South Creek - Waste and Resource Use CEMP Sub-plan (Rev C).pdf (133 KB) (pdf)
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Air Quality CEMP Sub-plan (Rev B).pdf (134 MB) (pdf)
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Soils and Contamination CEMP Sub-Plan (Rev B).pdf (186 MB) (pdf)
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Surface Water Groundwater CEMP Sub-plan (Rev C)_COMBINED.pdf (170 MB) (pdf)
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Traffic and Transport CEMP Sub-plan (Rev D).pdf (171 MB) (pdf)
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Traffic and Transport CEMP Sub-plan_Appendix D_Construction Parking and Access Strategy.pdf (54.4 MB) (pdf)
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Biodiversity CEMP Sub-plan (Rev E).pdf (197 MB) (pdf)
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Flood Emergency Response CEMP Sub-plan (Rev B).pdf (194 MB) (pdf)
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Sustainability Management Plan (Rev B).pdf (5.05 MB) (pdf)
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Heritage CEMP Sub-plan (Rev B).pdf (28.2 MB) (pdf)
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Construction Noise and Vibration Impact Statement Acoustic Advisor Endorsement (302 KB) (pdf)
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Construction Water Reuse Strategy - Part A (1.66 MB) (pdf)
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Construction Water Reuse Strategy - Part B (535 KB) (pdf)
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Construction Water Reuse Strategy - Part C (2.5 MB) (pdf)
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Construction Water Reuse Strategy - Part D (8.46 MB) (pdf)
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Construction Water Reuse Strategy - Part E (6.65 MB) (pdf)
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Construction Water Reuse Strategy - Part F (1.51 MB) (pdf)
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AWRC Remediation Action Plan (6.99 MB) (pdf)
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Community Agreements
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Culturally and Linguistically Diverse online community information sessions
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DPE A40 and 41 letter 3rd audit report and response to findings_10012025_table.pdf (35.2 KB) (pdf)
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USC - Independent Audit 2 Final 27_06_24.pdf (11.4 MB) (pdf)
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DPHI A40 and 41 letter 2nd audit report and response to findings table_280624.pdf (53.3 KB) (pdf)
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Upper South Creek - Independent Audit 3 Final Rev 0 10_1_24.pdf (11.8 MB) (pdf)
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USC Project - 2023 DI Public Reporting WIP FINAL.pdf (1.19 MB) (pdf)
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Compliance report USC EPBC2020_8816_final_consolidated_signed.pdf (3.12 MB) (pdf)
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USCP-JHG-MPL-ENV-0011 Rehabilitation Management Plan (Rev 5)_clean and consolidated.pdf (19.7 MB) (pdf)
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Noise and Vibration
Related Sydney Water Projects
Life Cycle
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Planning Stage (Completed)
Upper South Creek Advanced Water Recycling Centre has finished this stageDuring this stage, Sydney Water sought community and stakeholder feedback as part of early planning process.
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Environmental Impact Statement and planning approvals (Completed)
Upper South Creek Advanced Water Recycling Centre has finished this stageDuring this stage we sought comments and feedback leading up to and during the public exhibition period of the project’s Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).
Our EIS Submissions Report responded to the feedback we received from community and stakeholders during the EIS exhibition period.
An Amendment Report was also prepared to reflect minor amendments to the project based on feedback from community and stakeholders. We also prepared a report that responded to the feedback we received from community and stakeholders during the Amendment Report exhibition.
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State and Commonwealth Government Approvals (Completed)
Upper South Creek Advanced Water Recycling Centre has finished this stageDuring this stage, the project was approved by the State government and Commonwealth governments.
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Construction Planning (Completed)
Upper South Creek Advanced Water Recycling Centre has finished this stageWith the relevant State and Commonwealth approvals granted, the project moved into construction planning. We prepared construction environmental management plans and early works and heritage investigations were undertaken.
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Construction Commencement (Current)
Upper South Creek Advanced Water Recycling Centre is currently at this stage
Useful links
To view Sydney Water's Growth Servicing Plan, please click here.