Sydney Water to provide water to 17,000 new homes in North West Sydney Growth Area by mid 2025

Microtunnelling as part of a $90m upgrade to north west Sydney has started with Sydney Water set to provide tens of thousands of new homes with water by next year.

Microtunnelling has started as part of a $90m upgrade to north west Sydney with Sydney Water set to provide 17,000 new homes with water by next year.

Microtunnelling as part of a $90m upgrade to north west Sydney has started with Sydney Water set to provide tens of thousands of new homes with water by next year.

The northwest Sydney growth area is expected to have 17,000 homes by mid-2025 and a total of 33,000 the following year and once fully developed, it will be home to approximately 250,000 people.

Sydney Water senior project manager, James Paton, said the beginning of microtunnelling was a significant milestone in the project and critical for Sydney’s future growth, providing water and wastewater services to the homes.

As part of the project, Sydney Water has partnered with Confluence Water which has engaged Pipeline Install and QuickWay for open trench construction and Robb Carr for microtunnelling expertise.

“The microtunnelling will dig ten meters underground and 700 meters long, but will still be combined with traditional open trench construction methods,” Mr Paton said.

Sydney Water senior project manager, James Paton.

“Microtunnelling is a trenchless technique which uses a remotely controlled boring machine to excavate a tunnel and concurrently install pipes.

“Open trench construction involves digging a trench, laying pipes, and then backfilling the trench.”

Mr Paton said Sydney Water has leveraged “the strengths of both methods” with microtunnelling used to reduce surface disruption and the open trench method used to “maximise time and cost efficiencies”.

James Paton with pipes used as part of the $90m upgrade.

The partnership will provide Sydney Water with an in-depth knowledge and support with planning, design and risk management to ensure a safe, efficient and cost-effective construction project.

Mr Paton said the use of microtunnelling will make sure the project has precise alignment and control.

“Confluence, through Robb Carr, has used laser guidance systems and temporary works design to ensure the tunnel meets specifications and existing assets remain undisturbed,” he said.

 “As Sydney looks ahead to an expanding future, this strategic investment in water infrastructure exemplifies a commitment to sustainable growth and community wellbeing, laying the foundation for generations to thrive in northwest Sydney.”