A Sydney Water employee discovered the bird trapped in a stormwater tank and immediately contacted the Wildlife Information, Rescue and Education Service.

Founder and co-ordinator of Australian Seabird Rescue South Coast Julie Dunn said the bird looked like it had been trapped for some time, and was too confined to fly out.

‘‘She could have come in [on Wednesday] or even with the stormwater a few days ago, so she could have been trapped here for a few days,’’ Ms Dunn said.

Firefighters took time to decide the safest manner to get into the tank, with a 17m drop the only point of entry for man and bird alike.

Warrawong station officer Mark Wilmott said there were a number of options considered to retrieve the bird, dubbed Penny by her rescuers.

The team eventually settled on a ladder and harness, with a firefighter, complete with Hazmat suit and oxygen line, scaling down the side of the tank.

After initial resistance, Penny was hoisted to safety, with Ms Dunn and fellow seabird rescue member Kate Kilby giving antibiotics and fluids to the dehydrated and exhausted bird.

Ms Dunn praised the ability of the multi-disciplinary team to work together on the rescue.

‘‘I really appreciate the support. It’s so good to see these people working together,’’ she said.

Penny was taken into the care of Australian Seabird Rescue and will be released when she is back to full health.