St Ives High School upgrade investigated over alleged water pollution incident

The builders of a $19.6m sports high school upgrade have been given until the end of this week to clean up pollution that allegedly resulted in brown water and coagulated sediment entering a major watercourse.

An investigation is underway into an alleged pollution incident during a multimillion high school upgrade on the north shore.

A contracted builder appointed to carry out works on the $19.6m sports upgrade at St Ives High School has been given until the end of this week to clean up pollution that the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) alleges resulted in “brown water and coagulated sediment” entering wetlands near the high school campus.

The EPA said an early investigation has traced the pollution from the watercourse to the St Ives High School construction site where the sediment was observed within an on-site dam that included a discharge point.

The EPA said it “reasonably suspects” the discharge of turbid water from the site caused the water pollution incident in the wetlands near Barra Brui Oval which drain towards Middle Harbour Creek.

Construction company Lipman Pty Ltd – which was appointed by the NSW Government to build the high school sports upgrade – has been ordered by the EPA to “immediately ensure all reasonable and feasible measures are in place to stop the discharge from the site”.

A concept image of the new sports facility at St Ives High School.

The company has been given a deadline of July 26 to contain and remove pollution from in and around the wetlands that resulted from the alleged pollution incident.

This publication contacted Lipman Pty Ltd for comment but did not receive a response at the time of publication.

An EPA spokeswoman said an investigation into the alleged incident was continuing.

The wetlands near the school flow into Middle Harbour.

“We are investigating the volume of sediment discharged and its potential impact on the surrounding environment as well as if any offence has been committed,” she said.

“We understand there is no risk to public safety.”

The alleged discharge of sediment into waters is classified as “water pollution” due to the potential to cause harm to the environment, waterways, and human health.

The alleged incident occurred during school redevelopment works.

Potential impacts of excessive sediment in waterways can include degradation of water quality, erosion of creeks and river banks, blockages of drains, and aquatic habitat disruption.

The school sports upgrade is partly funded by Ku-ring-gai Council and the NSW Government after it was granted planning approval in 2022.

The upgrade includes four main sports courts along with spectator seating, a cafe, change rooms, and basement carparking areas.

The alleged incident is the second time an environmental clean-up order has been issued by the EPA in the upper north shore this year after Ku-ring-gai Council was investigated over an unrelated alleged pollution incident during works on a $3.3m upgrade of Norman Griffiths Oval in Pymble that the EPA alleged resulted in “sediment laden water” entering the Lane Cove National Park in April.