Adelaide Hills mother and son embroiled in battle with SA Water to save their Stirling home

A three-year battle against SA Water has left an Adelaide Hills man and his mother feeling “sick every day” as they fear their home will collapse.

An Adelaide Hills man and his elderly mother fear their house may crumble because of an SA Water project that has dragged on for nearly three years next door.

Stirling resident George Bryant, 60, and his mother Mary Bryant, 90, have been embroiled in a three-year battle against the organisation over the construction which they say has left them feeling “sick every day”.

The battle began in 2020 as SA Water started construction on a new, partially underground wastewater storage tank near the intersection of Mt Barker Rd and Gould Lane.

The project has since been delayed while SA Water engineers undertook a review of the plans. Construction resumed in April.

George Bryant, 60, and his mother Mary Bryant, 90, are fighting SA Water over a big sewerage storage tank that its building next door, which they say is destroying their home. Picture: Keryn Stevens

Mr Byrant said he was worried that the construction had left the foundations of his home unstable.

“We already know we’re on the move and no one’s told us if it’s going to move slowly or if it all takes off,” he said.

“If we get massive rain events or something else happens, we might just take off in one go.”

Mr Bryant said a construction incident with a crane left damage to his fence that still wasn’t fixed.

Mr Bryant said he had tried to talk to SA Water but claimed his calls went ignored.

“When the crane came through my fence that’s when SA Water would not take my calls ever again,” he said.

The ordeal had caused significant stress, he said, to the point that it had affected his health.

“My doctor is even worried as I have lost over 12kg in just over three months,” he said.

George Bryant has been in a long battle with SA Water over his property. Picture: Shashi Baltutis

Mr Bryant said he tried to have Adelaide Hills Council intervene but to no avail.

He became so frustrated that two weeks ago he erected signs at the front of the house to draw attention to the issue, including one saying “SA Water Bullies” and another saying “We need help”.

And people passing by have noticed them.

“I had a lady turn up who was happy to see I was fighting SA Water and she burst into tears and said ‘I’ve been bullied by them too,’” he said.

But SA Water have claimed it had done everything by the book and offered compensation for damages.

“We have had several conversations with Mr Bryant both prior to and during construction, to discuss how we could limit any impacts from the works,” a spokesman said.

“Earlier (last) week we attempted to make contact with him both over the phone and in person to provide an update on the expected time frame for work completion.

“Unfortunately, a crane damaged part of Mr Bryant’s fence earlier this year and we offered to replace or repair it, with Mr Bryant turning down this offer.

“We will still look to replace or repair the fence at the completion of our works.”

SA Water said the project would be finished “within the next few months”.