Smithfield reservoir reconnected to Cairns water supply after council’s $1.8m repair works

Water infrastructure for Northern Beaches residents has been made more secure after council invested millions of dollars to bring a 20-megalitre reservoir back online.

Cairns Regional Council have made the Northern Beaches suburbs’ water infrastructure more secure after a $1.8m repair of a 20-megalitre Smithfield reservoir.

The University Reservoir was drained in 2022 after council staff identified a significant leak that had compromised the reservoir’s structural integrity.

A council spokesman described the repair works, which began in February, as “extensive”.

A contractor drills into the reservoir’s slab to allow concrete grout to be pressure injected into the subterranean cavities. Picture: Supplied

“More than 100 holes were drilled through the reservoir’s slab to allow concrete grout to be pressure injected into the subterranean cavities,” the spokesman said.

“This resulted in stabilisation of the foundations, raised the footing to re-level the structure and allowed council to address a 13mm bulge of the reservoir’s wall.

Division 8 councillor Rhonda Coghlan said water infrastructure repair works were a top priority for the Council. Picture: Isaac McCarthy

“The reservoir has now been filled to 60 per cent capacity and reconnected to Cairns water supply. Council is undertaking a staged filling … increasing the volume week by week and actively monitoring.”

Division 8 councillor Rhonda Coghlan said the quick repairs were a positive outcome for residents.

“It’s taken a few months and a couple of million dollars, but it’s better than getting a new reservoir at the cost of $30m or $40m,” Cr Coghlan said.

“Council has a budget for these (unforeseen) infrastructure issues, and water infrastructure takes priority over most expenses.”

Originally published as Smithfield reservoir reconnected to Cairns water supply after council’s $1.8m repair works