This was published 7 months ago
Watery welcome: English tourist’s hotel arrival a Titanic adventure
By Tony Moore
English tourist Michael Watson arrived at his hotel on George Street in Brisbane just as an old cast iron water pipe burst, sending high-pressure water rushing into the hotel’s foyer.
Watson was smiling about it on Saturday as the water damage was cleared away, however one lift at the Oaks Casino Tower Suites remained out of action and power was still out in places along George Street.
English tourist Michael Watson in the now-dry foyer of Oaks Casino Tower Suites.Credit: Tony Moore
“The road was a mess, and you couldn’t step in here – the water came up two to three steps,” Watson said. “And then the lifts were gone.
“Do you know the end of the Titanic movie, when they are moving through the water? It was like that.
“It wasn’t deep downstairs – it only came up two, maybe 1½ steps – but you had to walk up two flights to get to your room.
“It was probably the worst arrival to a place I’ve ever had in my life,” he added with a laugh.
Hotel guests had to wade through water, which tourist Michael Watson compared to scenes from the movie Titanic.Credit: Michael Watson
The 39-storey hotel suffered extensive water damage on Friday evening, but by Saturday, it was clean, open to guests and operating as best it could.
Only one lift was working, while the electricity was yet to be reconnected in some sections, the hotel confirmed.
Water in the stairwell to the carpark at the Oaks Casino Tower Suites before it subsided overnight.Credit: Michael Watson
Just before 5pm on Friday, a water pipe burst on George Street near the intersection with Elizabeth Street, sending water gushing over both.
The pressurised water flowed for more than an hour before the 30-centimetre pipe could be identified and shut off by Queensland Urban Utilities.
George Street was blocked causing a ripple effect of traffic problems that were still being experienced on Saturday morning while extensive repair work was completed.
“There are old pipes in this area. This one was cast iron. Half of these pipes were imported from the UK,” one repair crew worker said.
“The city is full of it – all of the southern part of town is full of it. The outer parts have changed; it’s now PVC piping.”
Queensland Urban Utilities said George Street finally reopened at 3.30pm on Saturday after road crews finished resurfacing it.
George Street was reopened on Saturday afternoon after repairs were completed, Queensland Urban Utilities said.Credit: Tony Moore
“Our crews have worked through the night to repair the burst water pipe,” a spokeswoman said on Saturday.
“The pipe is now repaired, and water was restored to all customers at 8.30 this morning.”
The reason why the pipe burst is being investigated, but it may not simply be its age, the spokeswoman said, adding that soil movement or shifting earth after the heavy rain may have contributed.
“We’re investigating the cause of the burst and will work with any affected customers,” she said.
“We sincerely thank the community for its patience while we carry out these essential repair works, and apologise for any inconvenience caused.”
There was little evidence of other long-term damage in George or Elizabeth streets on Saturday.
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