The NSW Government is investing $11 million to improve the health of Sydney Harbour by diverting wastewater at risk of overflowing into Sydney Harbour to the main sewerage network.

The project includes a $6.2 million pipeline and $3.8 million rising main and a pumping station to divert wastewater at risk of overflowing into the Harbour into the main system where it can be treated.

Construction has started on a pipe between Brightmore Reserve and the Wet Weather Sewage Pumping Station currently being built at Eaton Street, Neutral Bay - a project that will support more than 50 jobs at the peak of construction.

The new pipe will be about 40 metres below ground and will be drilled underground to minimise disturbance for local residents.

This work is part of a $33 million infrastructure investment to improve sewerage services on the Lower North Shore.

Major upgrades are also happening to sections of the Northern Suburbs Ocean Outfall Sewer at Brightmore Reserve and other locations including Gore Creek Reserve, Burns Bay and Cammeray Golf Course.

The work will involve removing decayed concrete, replacing corroded joints, repairing manholes and applying a protective coating to the sewer’s roof and walls to reduce the risk of future corrosion and damage.

The works build on more than a decade of sewerage and stormwater upgrades to protect Sydney Harbour, including:

• The Northside Storage Tunnel - Since becoming operational in 2001, the tunnel has stopped more than 37.5 billion litres of dilute sewage from flowing into Sydney Harbour via the overflow and connection sites at Lane Cove, Scotts Creek, Tunks Park, Quakers Hat Bay and Shelly Beach and then treated at North Head Sewage Treatment Plant.
• A network of 17 Stormwater Quality Improvement Devices - With the first of the devices installed in 1990 these devices are located along the tributaries of the Parramatta River and Sydney Harbour and have removed more than 2,384 cubic metres of litter and over 2,232 tonnes of sediment from stormwater before it reached our waterways.
• Blackwattle Bay and CBD to Circular Quay drainage separation works - Works to separate the sewerage and stormwater systems that drain to Blackwattle Bay, diverting sewage to Bondi Sewage Treatment Plant, are nearing completion. Similar works were completed for the systems that drain from the CBD to Circular Quay and Darling Harbour in 2008.

Current works assisting Sydney Harbour are part of a $560 million four-year SewerFix Program, helping to protect the environment and public health by reducing the risk of sewage overflows across Greater Sydney.

As part of the project a temporary construction access road will be built from the corner of Young and Wonga Streets to Brightmore Reserve.

Brightmore Reserve will remain open to the public and normal access will be maintained for park users during work - great news for residents and visitors to the area.

Sydney Water is working with local councils and will continue to update local residents about work in their area.

This work is being delivered by the SewerFix Wet Weather Alliance, comprising Sydney Water, Manidis Roberts, MWH, Parsons Brinkerhoff and United Group Limited.

For more information visit www.sydneywater.com.au and look under ‘Major Projects’ or call the free community information line on 1800 656 340.