$36m Wyee sewer network officially operating

Opening the new $36m sewer network at Wyee might be an odd thing to celebrate, but after decades of campaigning with the Wyee community, we finally got there!

I was joined by State Water Minister Melinda Pavey and Hunter Water boss Darren Cleary to do the honours today, and we met at the home of Winston and Dianne James who have lived at Wyee for 38 years.

When they brought there in 1983 they were told the sewer would be connected in two years! I know how much this means to the Wyee community so I’m really happy we’ve been able to deliver it.

By the way, Dianne makes an awesome scone!

More details here in the media release issued earlier today:

The $36m scheme to connect the township of Wyee to the main sewer network is complete, with long-suffering residents now able to connect their homes to the new system.

Member for Lake Macquarie Greg Piper today joined State Water Minister Melinda Pavey and Hunter Water boss Darren Cleary to officially commission the new network with some delighted Wyee residents.

“Celebrating the arrival of a sewer network might seem a bit odd to some people, but after decades of campaigning by the community to get this project across the line, I know how much it means to the people of Wyee,” Mr Piper said.

“I’m delighted that the Wyee community will have the amenity and affordability of living that is taken for granted in most residential areas around the state.

“With major new housing developments coming on line in the area, an upgraded rail station with lifts completed, a recently upgraded fire station and an expanded shopping village under construction, Wyee is a town on the move and I’m very happy to see it reaching its potential.

“Retro-fitting a modern sewer network into the older settlement has had its challenges, notwithstanding the Covid pandemic which added some delays to the project’s final stages, but the State Government, Hunter Water and the construction contractor Monadelphous have done a great job in overcoming these challenges.

“While I thank the Minister Melinda Pavey and NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian for seeing this through with me, I also want to acknowledge former Premier Mike Baird who committed the project’s initial funding.

“More than anything, I want to thank the Wyee community for their patience during the construction phase and for their support over many years of campaigning. We got there!”

More than 400 residential landowners can now apply to connect to the new system which has the capacity for about 2750 new homes in the future. Hunter Water has provided residents with information on how to connect, and are encouraging them to get three quotes from licenced plumbers before locking one in, and then applying to Hunter Water for connection. Residents needing more info can contact Hunter Water on 1300 657 657 or Mr Piper’s office on 4959-3200.