Observatory Park (western reservoir upgrade) - Spring Hill

Brisbane City Council has completed upgrade works to the western reservoir at Observatory Park, Spring Hill, to provide an improved experience for visitors and patrons. These works are part of Council's commitment to protecting our unique building heritage.

Project summary

About the project

Observatory Park is in the Wickham Park precinct – a collection of parks that forms a green gateway between the Brisbane Central Business District and Spring Hill.

The park contains some of Brisbane's most treasured heritage sites, including the Old Windmill and Spring Hill Reservoirs. The eastern and western reservoirs were built in 1871 and 1882 respectively and decommissioned in 1962 due to the changing needs of the Brisbane water supply.

Today, the western reservoir is used for public art, theatre, and stage performances. Lighting, signage, stairs, and pathways have been progressively installed over the years to help improve access to the reservoir and surrounding park area.

The upgrade works completed at the western reservoir will create an improved experience for visitors and patrons to the State heritage-listed building. The works included:

• building a new pathway from Wickham Terrace to the front entry stair landing at the western reservoir
• upgrading the entrance and exits to the building, including stairs and landings
• improving emergency exit lighting
• installing an underground water connection to the back of the building
• associated electrical works.

Project timing

Construction began in early July 2020 and was completed in mid-September 2020.

More information

For more information about this project, you can:

• phone the project team on 1800 884 681 during business hours
• phone Council on 07 3403 8888 outside of business hours
• email the project team
• write to:
  Observatory Park - western reservoir upgrade project
  City Projects Office
  Brisbane City Council
  GPO Box 1434
  Brisbane Qld 4001.