While Sydney Water has confirmed that the sewage overflow leading down to The Boneyard (caused by a blockage on Cathedral Rocks Ave) has led to the discovery of a crack in a pipe, locals believe it is more serious than that.

A spokesperson from Sydney Water has told The Bugle, “Sydney Water crews used CCTV to conduct an investigation into the reason for the overflow, which was due to debris blocking the pipe.

“While CCTV equipment was in use, a crack – which was not causing any immediate issues and is unrelated to the overflow – was identified and repairs are currently underway.”

However from their observations and what they have been able to glean from workers, locals believe it is not an isolated problem.

“Apparently there are quite a lot of cracks and leakages in the pipes, and they have certainly moved out to a much larger area since they began here a week ago,” says Geof Hawke.

“This latest episode started next door – now the workers are out on the headland, and the other side of the railway line. A lot of work is being done in the area so I think it is more than one single crack.

“I suspect the whole infrastructure has been let go for years and is starting to fall apart. This is part of the general problem around this whole area.”

Containment work leading down to The Boneyard

With an easement through his Cathedral Rocks Ave property, Geof has had two leaks this year, with at least one of them running down the drain that goes to The Boneyard. Both of these were swiftly cleaned up, but this time is different.

“There is obviously a problem with the pipes on the eastern side of the railway because they were working there yesterday and there are people and trucks all over the place,” says Geof.

“If it was just a small thing, there wouldn’t be so many people involved over a week.

“I don’t blame anyone for it happening, but I would like to know what is going on and get some assurance that if it is a more serious systemic problem that they are going to do something about it.”

Containment measures are still in place in the gully leading down to the beach, which Council has closed.

We have asked Sydney Water for an update on the water quality tests they were conducting and the seriousness of the problem.