Delivering Sustainable Wastewater Services to Enable Prosperity in Western Sydney

Western Sydney’s rapid growth is creating entirely new communities that need critical infrastructure to support long-term resilience and well-being. By 2056, the Upper South Creek catchment region will have over 143,000 new dwellings and 466,000 jobs across innovative precincts focused on advanced manufacturing, technology, research, freight and logistics, agribusiness and mixed-use development.

Every water and wastewater system must be designed to service today’s communities while anticipating the needs of future residents and industries. At the same time, rising temperatures, variable rainfall and the need to protect local waterways demand climate-resilient solutions that balance growth with environmental care. In Western Sydney, the challenge isn’t just collecting and treating wastewater — it’s building the foundation for a sustainable, livable future.

Jacobs, through CreekConnect — a joint venture with Seymour Whyte — is working with Sydney Water to deliver the Upper South Creek Networks (USCN) Program, a long-term program designed to build the vital infrastructure that keeps homes, schools and businesses connected to safe, efficient and affordable wastewater services. 

The USCN Program is being delivered in carefully planned stages, allowing for flexibility and efficient use of resources as the region develops. Over the next decade, it will install more than 70 miles (115 kilometers) of new wastewater pipelines, 11 pumping stations and important supporting infrastructure like ventilation shafts and maintenance holes. 

This new network will transfer wastewater flows to the Upper South Creek Advanced Water Recycling Centre (AWRC) at Kemps Creek – a world-class facility designed by Jacobs and GHD. When completed in 2026, the AWRC will treat around 70 megalitres of wastewater each day and produce high quality treated water for sustainable use in homes and businesses across Western Sydney, and biosolid products for use in agriculture.

Construction is already underway on critical work packages for wastewater pumping stations and pipelines in the South Creek and Cosgroves Creek precincts. As Sydney Water’s engineering, procurement and construction management contractor, CreekConnect is facilitating contractor progress on enabling works and engaging contractors for future phases. 

Marking milestones

CreekConnect and Sydney Water are now in the second year of the 12-year program, which began in July 2024. This milestone marks steady progress toward delivering the sustainable, long-term water services envisioned for Western Sydney.

The program also marked the opening of its new site office in Austral with a smoking ceremony — a traditional Aboriginal practice that uses burning native leaves to cleanse and protect the space. The ceremony was led by a Darug Traditional Custodian, representing the Indigenous people of the land on which the project is based. This welcome acknowledged the team’s presence on Darug Country and symbolized respect for the land’s traditional owners and continuing cultural heritage.

Creating the foundation for a prosperous future 

At its core, the USCN Program is about enabling prosperity in Western Sydney. It’s about making sure that as the region grows, new communities have access to world-class wastewater services. It’s about protecting public health and local waterways, while ensuring wastewater services keep pace with new housing. And it’s about creating a resilient system that adapts to climate change, so that Western Sydney can continue to thrive for decades to come.