NSW Government's commitment to end ocean outfalls

Today the NSW Government announced it will stop the continuous flow of untreated wastewater from three ocean outfalls at Vaucluse and Diamond Bay. 　

The Refresh Vaucluse Diamond Bay project will now commence detailed work to redirect untreated wastewater away from these outfalls and transfer it to the Bondi Wastewater Treatment Plant.

Refreshing the wastewater system in your area will address the pollution, water quality and public health risks associated with the ocean outfalls and bring your wastewater system up to the same standard as the rest of Sydney.

Sydney Water is very pleased with the support we’ve received from the community to date and we’ll be looking for your continued involvement as we work to fix this long-standing problem.

Our solution

This year we’ve investigated various ways we can treat the wastewater we collect from Watsons Bay, Vaucluse, Diamond Bay, Rose Bay North and parts of Dover Heights.

After a public expression of interest process, we set up a Community Reference Group and over four meetings, we’ve tested our ideas. They’ve given us important input on what the community values and loves about the area.

With this information, we’ve chosen to connect the ocean outfalls to a large wastewater pipe that runs along Old South Head Road. This pipe has capacity and it’s the easiest way to get the wastewater that currently flows directly into the ocean to a treatment plant.

What’s next

Next year will be an important one for this project.

There’s a lot involved in planning an infrastructure project of this scale and local knowledge can help identify local solutions to local challenges. That’s why we’ll continue to involve the community as we come up with a design, seek environmental approvals and secure funding.

Once these approvals are secured, Sydney Water can commence construction in 2020 and this legacy issue with become history.

Let’s keep talking

Whilst we still don’t have all the answers, it’s important we keep talking. 　

Your feedback is important to us.

Call 1800 645 466 or email vauclusedaimondbay@sydneywater.com.au