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A cracked underground pipe beneath an inner-city park has created a significant sewerage leak, which in the worst-case scenario could result in sewage flowing into Sydney Harbour.
A leak in one of the main sewerage pipes running eight to nine metres underground in Pyrmont was identified weeks ago. While the leak has been contained, significant emergency works are under way to divert the flow away from the leaking pipe.
Workers at Wentworth Park on Friday morning.Credit: Sam Mooy
NSW water minister Rose Jackson said while it had a low likelihood of happening, the “worst-case scenario” could see leaked sewage flowing into the harbour.
“That’s why we’re working so hard to get this fixed now because, in that worst-case scenario where there is sewerage flowing into the harbour, we would do everything we could to manage that,” Jackson said on Friday.
“We don’t want to see any of that. We love our harbour, it’s a pristine place, and we really want to protect it from any environmental impact.”
Workers are still identifying the exact cause of the leak, the size of the crack in the pipe, and any broader impacts it could have on the sewerage and wastewater network.
The “worst-case scenario” could see leaked sewage flowing into the harbour.Credit: Sam Mooy
Jackson said traffic, noise, and potential road closures will impact residents in the neighbouring suburbs of Glebe, Ultimo, and Pyrmont.
“It’s relatively high impact on this community here. We apologise for that,” she said.
“It’s a difficult time of year to be having these kinds of impacts on the local community, but we just have to be really clear – it is necessary. We’ve identified and contained the leak, but if we don’t act now, things could get worse.”
A temporary solution to divert the sewage flow away from the leaking pipe will be in place until December 19, before a full diversion is in place by early January. Jackson pointed to the ageing infrastructure presenting more challenges – the area where the leak happened, and its associated pumping station is more than 100 years old.
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Newly appointed Sydney Water chief executive Darren Cleary said there would be no environmental impacts from the leak.
“The leak is currently contained and being managed, and there are no environmental impact from the leaks,” he said. “We do need to do these emergency works to ensure that the system can continue to operate reliably.”
The sewerage leak comes as the government is expected to unveil its plans in coming weeks for the future of Wentworth Park, and whether the long-standing greyhound racing track at the site will be bulldozed for sporting fields, picnic areas and parkland.
The government has yet to confirm whether it will extend the current lease, held by the NSW Greyhound Breeders Owners and Trainers Association which is due to expire in 2027.
City of Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore is spearheading the plan to bulldoze the circuit and 3000-seat grandstand.
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