According to a Sydney Water spokesperson, high volumes of stormwater during extreme rainfall have forced the need for a new underground pipe and overflow for the Blue Mountains sewer tunnel.

One of the proposed sites for the discharge is Fitzgeralds Creek in Springwood, near the Buckland Retirement Village.

But Blue Mountains Conservation Society has turned up its nose at the proposal, expressing concerns about impacts on the environment and nearby residents, including the likelihood of odours.

“The discharge point is just below the council depot near the Buckland Retirement Village,” said Blue Mountains Conservation Society president, Tara Cameron.

“Fitzgeralds Creek is a very popular location for walking dogs, bushwalking, mountain biking and as a play area for children — (the overflow) could smell.”

Ms Cameron was also concerned about the

environmental study conducted by Sydney Water, which she said ignored downstream impacts.

“Large sections of alluvial deposits in the form of soft creek banks could be washed away,” she said.

“This would allow nutrients to sit in pools and support weed outbreaks, destroying the many years of volunteer work in removing weeds from the area.”

Ms Cameron said an alternative overflow site had been identified, which would have less impact on residents and the environment.

“That alternative location, an unnamed creek east of the sewage treatment plant at Winmalee, is the obvious solution. This is a much shorter creek that already receives such overflows and is not surrounded by houses,” said Ms Cameron.

A spokesperson for Sydney Water confirmed they had been presented with a number of options and were undertaking further review of the project in light of concerns expressed by the Blue Mountains Conservation Society .