Microtunnelling begins on major wastewater project in Western Sydney

Sydney Water has marked a major construction milestone with the launch of the first tunnel boring machine (TBM) for the Upper South Creek Networks Programme, a large-scale infrastructure project designed to support long-term population growth and wastewater management in Western Sydney.

The machine, named Lizzie, has commenced excavation of a 1.6-kilometre wastewater tunnel beneath Elizabeth Drive near Kemps Creek. Using a laser-guided microtunnelling system, the TBM is expected to advance at an average rate of approximately 12 metres per day, forming part of a new gravity pipeline that will transport wastewater across the developing region. A second TBM, named Fiona, is scheduled to be launched in the coming weeks to support ongoing tunnelling operations.

The tunnel is being constructed using microtunnelling technology, enabling precise underground excavation with minimal surface disruption. The TBM operates from a launch shaft, advancing through the ground while installing prefabricated pipeline segments behind the cutter head. This method ensures ground stability and reduces the risk of settlement, making it particularly suitable for urban and environmentally sensitive areas.

The 1.6-kilometre tunnel forms a critical section of a much larger wastewater network. The Upper South Creek Networks Programme is a 12-year infrastructure initiative, currently in its second year of delivery, and will include approximately 115 kilometres of wastewater pipelines, along with associated infrastructure such as pumping stations, ventilation shafts, and maintenance access points. The project is being delivered across multiple precincts to create an integrated system capable of supporting future urban development.

This infrastructure investment is aligned with long-term growth projections for Greater Sydney, where the population is expected to reach 8 million over the next 40 years, with a significant proportion of this growth concentrated in Western Sydney. The programme is also closely linked to the development of the Western Sydney International Airport and surrounding industrial and residential areas.

By expanding wastewater capacity and improving system resilience, the project aims to ensure reliable and efficient service delivery while minimising environmental impacts within the Upper South Creek catchment.