Sydney metropolitan beaches
For individual beach information download
Northern Sydney Beaches (09634bwar09ch3sydnth.pdf, 1359kb)
City and Southern Sydney Beaches (09634bwar09ch3sydsth.pdf, 966kb)
Summary
The results for 2008–2009 are the equal best ever recorded (29 beaches also complied 100% with both indicators in summer 2004–2005 and summer 2005–2006), and a significant improvement on the results from summer 2007–2008 when heavy rainfall resulted in only 23 sites complying 100% of the time.
With a return to average rainfall in 2008–2009, increases in compliance for one or both indicators were recorded at:
- Birdwood Park (Narrabeen Lagoon), Collaroy, Long Reef, North Curl Curl, Freshwater, Queenscliff, North Steyne, South Steyne and Shelly (Manly) beaches in Sydney’s north,
- Coogee Beach in central Sydney, and
- Boat Harbour in Sydney’s South.
Mixed results were recorded at Malabar, Bronte and Little Bay beaches, with a decrease in faecal coliform compliance, but an increase in enterococci compliance. The increase in enterococci compliance at Malabar Beach was the highest recorded for the ocean beaches (27 percentage points). Small falls in compliance for one or both indicators were also recorded at Newport and Bondi Beaches.
Sydney’s cleanest beaches
Sydney’s cleanest beaches were Palm, Whale, Avalon, Bilgola, Bungan, Mona Vale, Warriewood, Turimetta, North Narrabeen, Collaroy, Long Reef, Dee Why, North Curl Curl, South Curl Curl, Freshwater, Queenscliff, North Steyne, South Steyne and Shelly (Manly) in Sydney’s north; the city beaches of Tamarama, Clovelly and Maroubra; and the southern beaches of Greenhills, Wanda, Elouera, North Cronulla, South Cronulla, Shelly (Sutherland) and Oak Park.
Excellent results were also recorded at Bondi, Bronte, Coogee, Little Bay and Boat Harbour beaches, which all complied at least 90% of the time with both indicators.
Northern beaches
Faecal coliform compliance
Northern beaches recorded excellent results with 19 of the 21 swimming sites recording 100% compliance with Beachwatch water quality criteria for faecal coliforms during summer 2008–2009 (Figure 5). Faecal coliform compliance was also high at Birdwood Park in Narrabeen Lagoon and Newport Beach, which recorded 97% and 88% compliance respectively.
Faecal coliform compliance improved by three percentage points at Shelly Beach (Manly) in comparison with the 2007–2008 summer season. Newport was the only northern beach to record a fall in faecal coliform compliance (12 percentage points) in the 2008–2009 summer season.
Enterococci compliance
Nineteen of the 21 northern beaches recorded 100% compliance with enterococci criteria for summer 2008–2009 (Figure 5).
Enterococci compliances of less than 100% of the time were recorded at Birdwood Park in Narrabeen Lagoon (81%), and Newport beach (91%).
Nine northern beaches recorded improvements in enterococci compliance in the 2008–2009 summer season. These were Queenscliff Beach (19 percentage points), Collaroy Beach (16 percentage points), Freshwater Beach (13 percentage points), Birdwood Park in Narrabeen Lagoon, North Steyne and South Steyne beaches (ten percentage points), North Curl Curl Beach (six percentage points) and Long Reef and Shelly (Manly) beaches (three percentage points).
Decline in enterococci compliance in the 2008–2009 summer season was recorded at Newport Beach, with a decrease of nine percentage points.
City beaches
Faecal coliform compliance
Five of the eight swimming sites recorded 100% compliance with Beachwatch water quality criteria for faecal coliforms during summer 2008–2009 (Figure 5). Coogee Beach showed the most improvement, with a 13 percentage point increase from the previous summer season to reach perfect compliance.
Although Bronte (94%) and Little Bay (94%) beaches still recorded good compliance for the 2008–2009 summer season, faecal coliform compliance fell from perfect compliance in the previous summer. Malabar Beach recorded a nine percentage point decrease to comply 75% of the time.
Enterococci compliance
Four of the eight beaches recorded 100% compliance with enterococci criteria during summer 2008–2009 (Figure 5). A high level of compliance was also recorded at Bondi and Coogee beaches (97% of the time) and Bronte Beach (94% of the time). Malabar Beach complied 56% of the time.
Coogee and Malabar beaches both recorded much improvement in enterococci compliance from the previous summer, with a 23 and 27 percentage point increase respectively. Bronte Beach improved by 7 percentage points and Little Bay improved by six percentage points. In contrast, enterococci compliance at Bondi fell by three percentage points from the previous summer.
Southern beaches
Faecal coliform compliance
Results were excellent for the southern beaches, where all of the eight swimming sites recorded 100% compliance with Beachwatch water quality criteria for faecal coliforms for the 2008–2009 summer season (Figure 5).
The continued high level of faecal coliform compliance at the southern beaches is the result of the upgrade of the Cronulla Sewage Treatment Plant. The upgrade, which was completed in late April 2001, included the addition of secondary biological treatment, tertiary sand filtration and ultraviolet disinfection.
Enterococci compliance
Seven of the eight southern Sydney beaches recorded 100% compliance with Beachwatch water quality criteria for enterococci.
Boat Harbour complied with enterococci guidelines 91% of the time, an increase of 26 percentage points from the previous summer season. The lower level of compliance at Boat Harbour compared with other Sutherland beaches may be the result of elevated enterococci levels measured in discharge from a small creek located at the northern end of the beach. Additionally, the community of Boat Harbour is unsewered and may be a potential source of pollution.
The results for the summer 2008–2009 season indicate that the Southern beaches are now amongst the cleanest in Sydney, with levels of compliance similar to those on the northern Sydney beaches.
Plans for improvement
Upgrades to Bondi and North Head ocean outfall sewage treatment plants Works as part of the $95 million Bondi Sewage Treatment Plant Reliability Improvement and Modernisation Program (RIAMP) were completed in January 2007. The works included new ventilation and scrubbing systems, devices to control wastewater flow, and fitting of pipework. The installation of a wastewater recycling system at the plant enables the reuse of 3 million litres of treated wastewater daily. The program ensures that plant reliability and performance are maintained to meet environmental protection licence conditions set by DECCW and provide a safe working environment.
Many projects are in progress at North Head Sewage Treatment Plant, with a number completed. These include a recycled water plant (RWP) constructed in 2005 which reuses 1.5 million litres of wastewater per day in plant processes, reducing the demand on potable water supplies (a saving of 550 million litres per year). The projects will improve the reliability, operability and maintainability of various plant processes.
Sewage overflows – SewerFix
Sydney Water is required by DECCW Environment Protection Licence conditions to manage sewerage treatment systems efficiently, in order to protect and minimise harm to the environment and public health. The licences aim to minimise the frequency and volume of overflows and sewage treatment plant bypasses by identifying limits and targets for sewage overflows as well as measures to require further overflow abatement.
Details on SewerFix, Sydney Water’s 20-year program for maintaining and improving the sewerage system, are presented in Chapter 2.
Stormwater
From 2006 to 2008, the NSW Government’s Environmental Trust has provided over $19.8 million for 26 projects to improve the condition of degraded urban waterways through rehabilitation and restoration activities. The projects implemented include initiatives such as stormwater reuse schemes, implementation of water-sensitive urban design, and activities to restore streams and creeks in various local government areas, improving local water quality and overall catchment health. These projects have also included the implementation of education and engagement programs around maintaining the health of urban catchments.
The NSW Government’s Urban Stormwater Program was established in 1997 and concluded in 2006. A total of $82 million in seed funding was provided to address stormwater quality hotspots and to give the stormwater industry and stormwater managers an opportunity to develop new ways of addressing poor stormwater quality and ameliorating its impact on receiving waters.
The major outcomes of the NSW Government’s Urban Sustainability Program, Diffuse Source Water Pollution Strategy and Urban Stormwater Program, together with details of Sydney Water’s investment in stormwater improvement are presented in Chapter 2.
Figure 5: Compliance of Sydney Metropolitan Beaches during summer 2008–2009
Page last updated: 26 February 2011
