Brighton-Le-Sands residents concerned over groundwater drainage on Lady Robinson Beach

Water being drained from a construction site and dumped on a popular beach in Sydney’s south has residents frustrated and demanding answers. Here’s what we know.

Independent councillor Heidi Lee Douglas (far right) raised a motion for the Bayside Council to create a report to help answer questions and concerns residents have over the water drainage. Picture: Tileah Dobson

Residents in Sydney’s south have been left frustrated with the lack of transparency over issues with “sewage smelling” groundwater being dumped onto a popular beach.

For more than a year, beachfront apartments and townhouses along The Grand Pde in Brighton-Le-Sands have been under construction.

Due to the underground levels in the plans, groundwater from the site continues to be drained onto the Lady Robinson Beach.

The beachfront apartments and townhouses on The Grand Pde being developed. Picture: Tileah Dobson

It’s understood that property developer Abadeen were given permits by Water NSW to dewater the site and by Bayside Council to use their stormwater drains.

The water is being carried through temporary plastic pipes that appear along the footpath and is then drained onto the beach.

Residents in nearby apartments have expressed concerns over the timeline of the drainage, the sewage smell, whether testing has been done on the water and the environmental impact it will have on the beach.

Independent councillor Heidi Lee Douglas brought the issue to a recent council meeting, raising a motion requesting a full report answering community questions. However the motion was voted down.

The water travels through this pipe on the street. Picture: Tileah Dobson

And travels through the stormwater drain system. Picture: Tileah Dobson

It’s understood that the license for the developers to use the council’s stormwater drain expired on July 1, however the license issued by Water NSW remains.

Brighton resident Sanjay Colaco told the Southern Courier that when he spoke to the site supervisor in 2023, he was told that “they would be done in 3 months”.

At the time of writing this article, the water is still being drained and dumped onto the beach.

“It’s the lack of transparency and I’ve written to the council multiple times and haven’t gotten a response back,” he said.

“Not a single reply, not an official reply from the council. Every time I write them a letter, they’re not replying. They’re not being transparent and they’re not being honest.”

Mr Colaco’s other issue is the environmental impact the water draining is having on the beach.

Residents have complained about the sewage smell coming from the site. Picture: Tileah Dobson

The water is dumped into the ocean on the Lady Robinson Beach in Brighton-Le-Sands. Picture: Tileah Dobson

“It’s not really hygienic to do that. It (the water) smells,” he said.

“They wouldn’t be spilling that into swimming pools or using it for drinking purposes. It’s been eroding the sand dunes on the beach, the whole area is damaged.”

Retired couple Josephine, 76, and Ian Butler, 74, who live across from the drainage system, said they could smell it from their unit.

“Even though it’s supposed to be bore water, it’s got a terrible smell and already people are dumping things into it. It’s detracting from the natural beauty that we are trying to preserve,” Mrs Butler said.

“We are not anti-development, but we want responsible development. The beach has been cut in half. In the summer time, there were children playing (in the water). Just how clean is it? It’s a beautiful beach, it’s a wonderful resource.

“I understand why they need to do this, but it needs to be done in a way that is with respect to the environment. And make sure that it’s clean water coming out and we’d like to know future plans for where the sewage is going.”

Mrs Butler’s main question is “how long it’s going to continue for?”.

“And what are they going to do to repair the damage that this drainage has done to the beach?” she asked.

Mr Butler just wants to know “the date for when they’re gonna cap it”.

Lady Robinson Beach is a popular destination for locals and tourists, especially during the summer months. Picture: Tileah Dobson

This masthead reached out to Abadeen for comment and was told that their contractor “is in active communication with Bayside Council to extend the dewatering permit until August 31”.

“This is required due to extensive wet weather experienced during May and June,” a spokesman said.

The council has been approached for comment.