Mystery lagoon leak leaves South Bank beach closed, with no reopening date
The lagoon at South Bank is empty again, with investigators yet to find where the 33-year-old pool has been leaking and no time frame given for when it will reopen.
The Streets Beach pool was closed and drained on March 3, while the government-owned organisation that managed the 42-hectare precinct, South Bank Corporation, investigated a water leak and completed repair works.
The artificial beach remained closed but was refilled several weeks ago, but management drained it again on Monday.
The Streets Beach lagoon at South Bank has been closed and drained for a second time this year while management investigates a leak.Credit: Catherine Strohfeldt
A South Bank Corporation spokeswoman said the pool was still leaking.
“We’ve noticed recent changes [in the water level] which we’re currently assessing to understand where we may be losing water through our pipes and other infrastructure, and the best solution moving forward,” she said.
“While we hoped to reopen the much-loved lagoon by mid-June, we’re needing some extra time.”
The spokeswoman said there wasn’t a clear date for reopening Streets Beach, but said the adjacent Boat Pool and streams in the lagoon area were still open and patrolled by lifeguards.
The corporation also anticipated the ageing pools would need more repairs and maintenance work, which could bring “more frequent and longer closures” in the future.
The repairs come amid a raft of changes for the government-owned South Bank Corporation, which unveiled its new chief executive on Thursday and won three architecture awards for its long-term masterplan last week.
South Bank Corporation’s incoming CEO Julia Scodellaro.Credit: South Bank Corporation
The corporation announced in December that CEO Bill Delves would step down in mid-2025 after a seven-year run, with assets, place and projects manager Julia Scodellaro to be appointed as the new chief executive on July 1.
“The next eight years will be pivotal for South Bank, as the precinct prepares for the world stage in 2032,” Delves said, when announcing his decision to step down.
“I look forward to having more time with my loved ones and seeing South Bank Corporation continue to flourish under its next CEO.”
Scodellaro has worked with the company for more than 12 years, overseeing major development projects in the precinct’s 42-hectare area, including the $600 million Southpoint development on Grey Street, completed in 2018.
The South Bank Corporation anticipated longer and more frequent closures as its pools continued to age.Credit: Catherine Strohfeldt
“I’m looking forward to leading our team to evolve this incredible precinct,” Scodellaro said.
Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie said Scodellaro would be an important player in the lead-up to Brisbane’s 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The state has flagged the precinct as a key tourist draw during and after the Games, despite the state government axing plans to establish the Brisbane 2032 International Broadcast Centre next to the precinct at the Visy recycling factory.
Bleijie later raised the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre as a possible alternative, keeping South Bank embedded into Games plans.
Start the day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.