Solution coming for Vaucluse and Diamond Bay raw sewerage outfalls
A GROUP of 12 Vaucluse residents have been tasked with helping finesse the solution to the century old raw sewerage outfalls on South Head Peninsula.
Wentworth Courier
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A GROUP of 12 Vaucluse residents have been tasked with helping finesse the solution to the century old raw sewerage outfalls on South Head Peninsula.
In a significant development, Sydney Water have announced they will be announcing the outcome of the three outfalls in November.
For the past century, the state’s three last discharge pipes of their kind have allowed the untreated waste to flow directly into the ocean at Vaucluse and Diamond Bay.
Residents have spotted clumps of toilet paper and sanitary products floating far from the largely inaccessible location of the outfalls.
However, others are concerned about the impact the necessary tunnelling working to fix the problem will have on their property values and the potential that improved infrastructure will pave the way for more development.
The community reference group will give public input to Sydney Water on how locals believe they should proceed.
Sydney Water Managing Director Kevin Young said there is greater community awareness of these untreated discharges.
“It’s important that we find a solution that will stop our wastewater being pumped directly into the ocean,” Mr Young said.
“The group has made excellent progress considering broad options to divert the wastewater from Vaucluse Diamond Bay to Bondi’s treatment plant where it can be treated before being safely released back into the environment.
“This community deliberation is critical to Sydney Water selecting a technical solution to these outfalls.”
Despite the remote location of the outfalls, a Vaucluse Diamond Bay Ocean Discharges Pollution Study Report released by Sydney Water earlier this year estimates around 2000 people access the area annually for activities including spear fishing, swimming and rock fishing.
“Based on the information in the pollution study, the risk to public health has been rated
‘very high’ for anyone accessing the area in the immediate vicinity of the outfalls for
primary contact use due to predicted water quality near the outfalls,” the Sydney Water report reads.
“Risks to the aquatic ecosystem have been rated ‘high’ in the immediate vicinity of the
outfalls since wastewater discharge is being continuous and the time taken to reverse
impacts likely to be one to 10 years.”
The outfalls, which were built between 1916 and 1936, are a legacy of Sydney’s earliest wastewater network.
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Despite the faecal plume, the report notes “water quality at nearby swimming beaches (including Bondi) remains ‘good’ or ‘very good’, based on regular Beachwatch monitoring.”
Shadow Water Minister Chris Minns was scathing of the progress.
He toured the site last week with Labor candidates Marjorie O’Neill for Coogee and Di Smith for Vaucluse.
“More reports and consultations from this government but very little action,” Mr Minns said.
“After being elected in 2011 and promising to take action on the outfall this government has barely lifted a finger on this blight near the entrance to our harbour.”