Latest news with #CoogeeSurfLifeSavingClub
Sydney Morning Herald
21-06-2025
- Climate
- Sydney Morning Herald
The pipe that could clean up ‘Poogee' for good
A tunnel located deep under Sydney's eastern suburbs has been touted as a solution to Coogee Beach's long-running stormwater woes, following years of complaints about pollution at the popular coastal strip. In a major win for a community campaign to stop polluted stormwater flushing onto the beach after major rain events, the NSW government has revealed $7 million will be spent on a plan to divert stormwater to a new outlet, located north of the beach. The pre-budget commitment follows decades of calls from residents for an overhaul of the century-old stormwater infrastructure, which discharges water via a main at the northern end of the beach. Coogee Surf Life Saving Club governor Tony Waller said the beach can become so polluted that the usually pristine water is turned into a contaminated slurry. 'I've been a surf lifesaver for 50 years and during that entire time when it rains the bay fills up with stormwater with petrochemicals, faeces, pollutants and anything that's in gutters washes into the beach,' he said. 'We have gross pollutant traps but that doesn't stop all the pollution getting into the bay, and it's a big frustration for the community.' Waller said the beach was often closed for at least 24 hours after major rain, meaning locals cannot swim and Nippers and other events are cancelled. 'Most swimmers stay away, but there are always some people who decide to go into the water either out of stupidity or just naivety and if we have to go into water for a rescue we have to worry about getting sick with stomach upsets,' he added.
The Age
21-06-2025
- Climate
- The Age
The pipe that could clean up ‘Poogee' for good
A tunnel located deep under Sydney's eastern suburbs has been touted as a solution to Coogee Beach's long-running stormwater woes, following years of complaints about pollution at the popular coastal strip. In a major win for a community campaign to stop polluted stormwater flushing onto the beach after major rain events, the NSW government has revealed $7 million will be spent on a plan to divert stormwater to a new outlet, located north of the beach. The pre-budget commitment follows decades of calls from residents for an overhaul of the century-old stormwater infrastructure, which discharges water via a main at the northern end of the beach. Coogee Surf Life Saving Club governor Tony Waller said the beach can become so polluted that the usually pristine water is turned into a contaminated slurry. 'I've been a surf lifesaver for 50 years and during that entire time when it rains the bay fills up with stormwater with petrochemicals, faeces, pollutants and anything that's in gutters washes into the beach,' he said. 'We have gross pollutant traps but that doesn't stop all the pollution getting into the bay, and it's a big frustration for the community.' Waller said the beach was often closed for at least 24 hours after major rain, meaning locals cannot swim and Nippers and other events are cancelled. 'Most swimmers stay away, but there are always some people who decide to go into the water either out of stupidity or just naivety and if we have to go into water for a rescue we have to worry about getting sick with stomach upsets,' he added.
