Refresh Vaucluse and Diamond Bay

Below the cliffs of Vaucluse and Diamond Bay, wastewater flows directly into the ocean untreated.

It’s time for change and we’re continuing to work to ensure this iconic area of Sydney gets the clean, blue backyard it deserves. Under the Refresh Vaucluse Diamond Bay project we are building new infrastructure to divert the flows from the last three remaining ocean outfalls in Sydney to the Bondi Resource Recovery Facility (WRRF).

The project scope includes:

• two new pump stations (one in Parsley Bay and one in Eastern Reserve)
• 3km of new wastewater pipelines
• upgrade existing infrastructure such us vent shafts and manholes

Whilst challenging, we know this is the right thing to do and we need you to get involved as we fix this problem once and for all.

Refreshing the wastewater system in Vaucluse and Diamond Bay offers multiple benefits—improving the harbour and coastal water quality, as well as protecting the health of the community and marine ecology.

In December 2023, Sydney Water appointed Abergeldie Complex Infrastructure (ACI) to partner with us to build the pump station at Parsley Bay as well as the pipeline to the Bondi treatment plant. ACI is an experienced civil engineering company with 25 years’ experience in delivering complex infrastructure projects in the utilities sector. Sydney Water will work closely with the ACI team to make sure construction activities are monitored and managed to the highest standards.

On 5 June 2024, the project team held a traditional Smoking Ceremony to mark the start of the construction of the project and honour the traditional lands of Birrabirragal Country at Parsley Bay.