Fears sewage leak from cracked pipe could flow into Sydney Harbour

A cracked underground pipe in Pyrmont has created a significant leak, which in the worst-case scenario could result in sewage flowing into Sydney Harbour.

A leak in one of the main sewage 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 at the nearby Wentworth Park in Glebe to divert the flow away from the leaking pipe.

NSW Water Minister Rose Jackson said under the “worst-case scenario”, leaked sewage could flow into the harbour but there was a low likelihood of that happening.

“That’s why we’re working so hard to get this fixed now because, in that worst-case scenario where there is sewage 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 wastewater network.

Jackson said traffic, noise and potential road closures would affect 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 said the ageing infrastructure presented more challenges. The area where the leak happened and its associated pumping station is more than 100 years old.

New 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 is 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 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 a plan to bulldoze the circuit and the 3000-seat grandstand at the park.

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