Burst pipe repaired but Bruce Lee Reserve to stay shut for months due to Perth sewage spill

Australia Broadcast Center

17-06-2025

Parkland contaminated by human waste could be closed for months, as remediation works continue following sewage spills in Perth's southern suburbs.
The problems began when a sewer pipe burst in Spearwood on June 6, with wastewater entering two homes, and the front yards of another four.
The following day, Bruce Lee Reserve in Beaconsfield was flooded with sewage due to a pressure build-up when wastewater was diverted from the Spearwood site.
Overflow incidents affected the Swan River in Applecross and Alfred Cove, with parts of South Fremantle and the Fremantle Fishing Boat Harbour also impacted.
A permanent fix to damaged infrastructure at Spearwood has been completed, with crews to remain onsite to ensure the repair holds.
Attention will now turn to restoring affected green spaces such as Bruce Lee Reserve, a process which the Water Corporation's Dean Stacey said could take much longer.
"We know that we're going to have to replace the turf and that's not a quick process. That will probably be into the months," he said.
Mr Stacey said odours could intensify this week due to rainfall.
"On one hand, the rain is a good thing because it will help dilute and wash away any of that residual wastewater that might still be present in the area, but it also may have the effect of stirring up some of those odours," he said.
"Our advice remains that if any odours are still present in the area, just please keep your doors and windows shut."
Three residents affected by noise and roadworks have been provided with temporary accommodation.
Remo's Meat Supply's Jeremy Sanderson-Brown said the road closures had been more disruptive than the odour.
"It's affected us slightly due to the fact that half the road is closed and the general public just can't quite come freely into the area, but they are still supporting us," he said.
It was initially hoped repairs at the Spearwood site would be completed last week, but the identification of an alternative, more robust fix has pushed that back.
Mr Sanderson-Brown said the Water Corporation had been understanding of local concerns.
"They're obviously doing the best they can do. It's one of those things that just happens," he said.
"They're trying to get it rectified as quickly as possible."
Spearwood resident Val Newman said many locals have rallied around businesses during the incident, but others remained more cautious.
"I've been back up to the bakery every day since [the incident] just to give them the business," she said.
Ms Newman said the incident had highlighted the need for regular maintenance of water infrastructure.
"I think that a lot of the drainage systems need replacing and particularly around Fremantle area, it's been there a long time," she said.