Century-old Bartley’s Hill Brisbane reservoir’s $14 million makeover

A century after first opening, an iconic Brisbane reservoir is undergoing a $14 million upgrade to continue supplying water to more than 80,000 residents. SEE THE PHOTOS

A historical gem that supplies water to more than 80,000 Brisbane residents is undergoing a multimillion dollar upgrade more than a century after it first opened.

Bartley’s Hill Reserve in Ascot was constructed in 1907 and has supplied water to Brisbane’s northeast ever since, making it one of Queensland’s most historic reserves.

Urban Utilities General Manager Scott Dean said the major $14 million project marked the next chapter in the reservoir’s rich history.

“Construction of the original Bartley’s Hill Reservoir took place during a time of rapid growth in Brisbane,” Mr Dean said.

“This important asset was crucial for ensuring adequate water supply during the early 1900s and is recognised today for its heritage significance.

“When the reservoir first came online, its ability to supply water to suburbs as far away as Teneriffe and Spring Hill was considered an impressive feat.”

Historical photos of the reserve’s vantage point, used in World War II as a lookout, showed the drastic developments in construction from horse, carts and manual labour to modern electric drills, safe scaffolding and specialised tools.

Brisbane’s skyline in 2024.

“Old photos of the second reservoir being built also show how much construction methods have changed, with a horse and cart pictured alongside an early crane,” Mr Dean said.

“The project to renew the original Bartley’s Hill Reservoir will likely look quite different to its construction in 1907.”

Building methods have changed significantly since the early 1900s, driven by advancements in technology and better approaches to safety.

“We know construction of the original Bartley’s Hill Reservoir would have relied largely on manual labour and hand tools,” Mr Dean said.

“Today our crews have access to modern technology like specialised tools and equipment which will make restoration of the reservoir a more efficient operation.

“History tells us there were few formal safety regulations and many workers operated without protective gear, usually in hazardous conditions.

“Over time, safety regulations on construction sites in Queensland were formalised through legislation.”

Renewal works underway on original reservoir constructed in 1907

Refurbishments to the iconic site were estimated to take 12 months to complete and will involve replacing the existing roof structure and rehabilitating the concrete walls and columns, with $400 million being invested into five local council regions in the last year.

Mr Dean said Brisbane is a dynamic and growing city.

“It’s important we continue to provide safe and reliable services for our customers, renew our existing network and build new infrastructure for the future,” he said.

“Broadly speaking, the safety of workers on construction sites has significantly improved over the past few decades.

“In the early 1900s, construction site safety in Queensland, like many other places, was relatively underdeveloped.

“History tells us there were few formal safety regulations and many workers operated without protective gear, usually in hazardous conditions.

“Over time, safety regulations on construction sites in Queensland were formalised through legislation.

“At Urban Utilities, the safety of our people, delivery partners and the public is always our No.1 priority.”