A Sydney man’s tranquil suburban backyard has been repeatedly deluged, transforming into a raging river rapid every time it rains, all thanks to stormwater run-off from the controversial $2b Wilton Greens development.
David Harbord, whose home sits opposite the massive project in Sydney’s southwest, has been left marooned during severe storms, describing the situation as “a joke” while authorities offer little solace.
According to A Current Affair, Mr Harbord has been battling the deluge for the past four years, a direct consequence of Chinese developer Risland’s approved plan to funnel stormwater from the Wilton Greens site through a pipe under Picton Rd.
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This water then disperses into a natural waterway that traverses five long-established properties, including Mr Harbord’s.
“It can be pretty scary (when it rains),” Harbord told the program.
“The creek that runs through our home, which is supposed to be a creek, just becomes a torrent.”
A common sight at Wilton Greens during wet weather. (A Current Affair)
David Harbord is sick of the issues. (A Current Affair)
At one point, the Wollondilly Council and the developer removed a staggering 14 tonnes of sediment that had washed onto his property, a stark illustration of the sheer volume and force of the water.
Yet, despite the ongoing issues, Mr Harbord notes that the council is “only going to tender now to finalise the basins, to manage the water.”
In a statement to A Current Affair, Risland maintained it was complying with engineering requirements and conditions approved by the local council, stating that “basin upgrade works are due to begin immediately” to replace the current set up.
They also claim the basins were “maintained last month after significant rainfall.”
However, the Wollondilly Council remained tight-lipped when asked when it last inspected the basins, despite erecting signs warning the developer that they must be regularly cleaned.
The environmental ramifications are also a grave concern.
A Wilton resident measures the hight of the unwanted river (A Current Affair)
The current state government has blamed the previous Liberal government for the issues. (A Current Affair)
Associate Professor Ian Wright, after inspecting the basins, raised alarm bells, claiming the bulk of the water ultimately ends up in the Nepean River.
“This is a really popular area for a lot of locals to go swimming,” he said.
“I wouldn’t put my head under the water after seeing those videos.”
“This is not managed well at all, it’s a serious issue, and it needs to be addressed.”
The NSW Environmental Protection Authority has deferred responsibility, stating the Council is the primary authority.
$2b ‘mini city’ development in limbo
The drama surrounding Wilton Greens, one of four developments in the area declared state significant, only deepens.
The Berejiklian government fast-tracked developers into Wilton to address housing shortages, a move criticised as being too rapid, leaving the area still without a sewerage connection.
Further complicating matters, Chinese developer Risland (formerly Country Garden) announced last year it would sell stages three to six of the development after encountering financial difficulties.
The Wilton Greens development was touted as a “mini city”. (A Current Affair)
The buyer, Avantaus Emerald, has now gone into receivership, with FTI Consulting confirming these critical stages – which include infrastructure to support 3500 homes – will now be put up for sale.
Wilton Greens has been plagued by delays after it was launched in 2019.
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