30 years later, Bondi outfall spewing raw sewage into the Pacific Ocean will finally be closed
Despite pushback from local residents, the last of Bondi’s outfalls that spew untreated sewage straight into the ocean will finally be closed.
Wentworth Courier
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Sydney Water is putting the finishing touches on a plan to tunnel under some of Australia’s wealthiest neighbourhoods to re-route sewage from ocean outfalls to the Bondi Wastewater Treatment Plant.
The Refresh Vaucluse and Diamond Bay project, which will close NSW’s three last remaining ocean outfalls, is halfway through the detailed design process following geotechnical investigations late last year and ongoing community consultation.
Sydney Water is aiming to wrap up the design process late this year, start construction in February and complete the project by late 2024 or early 2025.
According to reports, the project will ensure as much as four million litres of raw sewage a days that is spewing into the ocean between Bondi Beach and South Head will come to an end.
The NSW government had promised for decades to end the hazardous practice and money was finally provided to do so in the last state budget.
Most of Bondi’s toxic sewage ocean outfalls were cleaned up in the 1980s and 1990s to render the term ‘Bondi Cigar’ all but obsolete, however some of the outdated infrastructure remained.
Residents initially expressed concern vibrations could damage their multi-million dollar mansions prompting Sydney Water to commit to performing dilapidation surveys and condition assessments of properties in proximity to rock breaking and drilling.
They will also use a trenchless technique involving launching and retrieving a drilling machine underground via pits at a depth of up to 60m to minimise the impact.
Vaucluse MP Gabrielle Upton fought for the funding, which was announced in 2018, and told the Wentworth Courier she was thrilled with the project’s progress.
“The project to close the three ocean outfalls at Vaucluse, Diamond Bay and Dover Heights is one that my local community and I have been campaigning on for years,” Ms Upton said.
“It’s a problem that sat in the too-hard basket for too long. I’m committed to help deliver the project which is made possible through the $85 million investment by the NSW Government.”
Raw sewage can still be seen regularly in the water in and around Diamond Bay, a popular tourist walk.
Ms Upton made a speech in parliament about the progress of the project last month which she said was essential to protect not only the environment but also public health.
“Let us not forget, this is a once-in-a-lifetime project. It is about strongly protecting our natural environment, our world-class harbour and our oceans. It is for our precious marine life and also for our deep-water ocean swimmers, fishers and kayakers who deserve to enjoy a clean, safe and natural environment,” Ms Upton said.
“It is truly a remarkable project that will benefit not only my electorate of Vaucluse, which sweeps all the way from Bondi Beach in the south to Rushcutters Bay in the north and the west, but also all of New South Wales. I will do whatever I can to ensure we deliver it in the way it is intended.”
The project comprises two new pump stations at the Parsley Bay car park and Eastern Reserve and a 1.8 km wastewater pipeline from Parsley Bay to Dover Rd via Carlisle St.
It will also include pipelines connecting Diamond Bay Reserve and Oceanview Ave to the new pump station at Eastern Reserve as well as pipelines along Mitchell Rd, Old South Head Rd and Spencer St in Rose Bay and an upgrade to the emergency relief infrastructure on Ian St.
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