Emergency works underway in Pyrmont amid fears of harbour contamination
Updated ,first published
A cracked underground pipe in Pyrmont caused a significant leak; In a worst-case scenario, this could lead to sewage flowing into Sydney Harbour.
A leak in one of the main sewer pipes running eight to nine meters underground in Pyrmont was detected weeks ago. While the leak has been brought under control, significant emergency work is ongoing at Wentworth Park in nearby Glebe to divert flow away from the leaking pipe.
NSW water minister Rose Jackson said the incident was unlikely to happen but in a “worst case scenario” a sewage spill could flow into the harbour.
“That’s why we’re working so hard to fix this, because in the worst-case scenario where sewage flows into the harbor, we’d do everything we can to manage it,” Jackson said Friday.
“We don’t want to see any of this. We love our port, it’s a pristine place and we really want to protect it from any environmental impacts.”
Workers are still trying to determine the exact cause of the leak, the extent of the crack in the pipe and the wider impacts it could have on the sewer and wastewater network.
Jackson said traffic, noise and possible road closures would affect residents in the neighboring suburbs of Glebe, Ultimo and Pyrmont.
“It’s had a relatively large impact on the community here. We apologize for that,” he said.
“It’s a difficult time of year to have these types of impacts on the local community, but we have to be really clear; it’s necessary. We’ve identified the leak and contained it, but if we don’t act now things could get worse.”
A temporary solution to divert sewer flow away from the leaking pipe will be in place until December 19, with a full diversion to be implemented in early January. Jackson noted that aging infrastructure creates further challenges, such as the area where the spill occurred and the associated pump station being more than 100 years old.
Newly appointed Sydney Water CEO Darren Cleary said the spill would have no impact on the environment.
“The spill is currently under control and managed and there is no environmental impact from the spills,” he said. “We need to do these emergency studies to ensure the system can continue to operate reliably.”
The sewer leak comes as the government is expected to announce plans for the future of Wentworth Park in the coming weeks and whether the long-standing greyhound racing track in the area will be bulldozed to make way for sports fields, picnic areas and parkland.
The government has not yet confirmed whether it will extend the existing lease held by the Greyhound Breeders Owners and Trainers Association of NSW, which expires in 2027.
City of Sydney Mayor Clover Moore is spearheading a plan to raze the track and 3000-seat stands.
Start your day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.
Cindy Yin is an urban affairs reporter for The Sydney Morning Herald.Connect via email.
