Dover Heights residents concerned about Eastern Reserve pump station to divert sewage ocean outfalls from Vaucluse, Diamond and Parsley Bay

Residents of an affluent eastern suburbs neighbourhood are outraged at plans to destroy green space to help build a long-awaited sewage outfall.

Dover Heights residents are fighting to save a precious slice of green space they say will be taken over with a pump station as part of the $85 million Refresh Vaucluse and Diamond Bay project.

The long awaited project will divert the sewage which currently spews untreated into the ocean from the state’s three last remaining outfalls to the Bondi Wastewater Treatment Plant.

While locals were initially supportive, they were shocked when in a recent community consultation session with Sydney Water they were provided with artists impressions of a planned pump station at popular Eastern Reserve which they say differ significantly from those they were shown back in 2020.

An artist impression initially distributed by Sydney Water of the proposed Eastern Reserve pump station in 2020

Local resident Dr Elysia Thornton-Benko started a petition against the pump station which has quickly gained more than 250 signatures.

“Back in 2020 what we were shown involved most of the infrastructure underground aside from a kiosk and small vent,” Dr Thornton-Benko said.

“Everyone was relatively on board with that as it wasn’t too much of an impact and it was for the greater good of closing the sewage outfalls.”

Dr Thornton-Benko said new additions including a ventilation shaft, sizeable vehicle turning circle and metal bollards infringed on the footprint of the park which many residents used to exercise with their dogs and children.

She said while residents still overwhelming supported the closure of the outfalls they want Sydney Water to rethink the design of the pump station at Eastern Reserve.

Dr Elysia Thornton-Benko at Eastern Ave Reserve. Pictures: John Appleyard

“The Waverley Local Government Area is one of the most densely populated in Australia and the vision of the council is to protect these spaces and even find more yet this (state government project) takes away public space which is used by locals and visitors alike,” Dr Thornton-Benko said.

“It might seem like a small enough space but we don’t have green space in our area to be getting rid of.”

Residents gather on the site of a proposed sewage pump and odour vent. Pictures: John Appleyard

Vaucluse MP Gabrielle Upton who has championed the outfalls closure said she was investigating the concerns relayed to her by the group.

“I recently met with Sydney Water to personally take up concerns that local residents’ have raised with me. My clear expectation of Sydney Water is that they will now make every effort to address these concerns,” Ms Upton said.

“Refresh Vaucluse and Diamond Bay is a once-in-a-lifetime project with overwhelmingly positive benefits for our local environment. By securing the $85 million in NSW Government funding for the project I am proud that we will have a cleaner ocean and beaches for our whole community to enjoy.”

A Sydney Water spokesperson said they have worked “extensively with the local community, councils and the Community Reference Group (CRG) to identify a preferred solution for the placement of the Eastern Reserve pump station”.

“We have taken into account a range of factors required to balance the environmental, operational, technical and community needs for this very important, community-advocated project,” the spokesperson said.

One of the proposed options shown to residents by Sydney Water of the Eastern Reserve pump station in April 2022.

“After conducting in-depth investigations, Sydney Water decided to position the asset underground in the reserve to minimise construction, access and structural impacts on nearby residents and their properties and the adjacent open space.

“The current early stage design ensures we continue to meet out regulatory operating requirements, Occupational Health and Safety requirements as well as long-term maintenance and operation of the station.

“Ventilation shafts form an essential part of the wastewater network and are highly regulated to ensure they meet strict air quality guidelines, keeping the underground assets from corrosion. Sydney Water will also install passive activated-carbon filters as an additional measure to further mitigate potential odour.

“Sydney Water will continue to work with the community and stakeholders on this transformational project and following early feedback will present an updated design to the community for further consultation in due course.”

Construction on the project is due to start in February 2023 ahead of a completion date in late 2024 or early 2025.