Following completion of the new, more flood-resilient Mount Crosby Vehicle Bridge (now named Explorers Bridge) in March 2024, Seqwater commenced works to repurpose the old bridge for community benefit.
Seqwater Executive General Manager, Infrastructure Planning and Capital Delivery, Sarah Dixon, recognised Seqwater’s work with Pensar to resurface the old bridge, install a new balustrade system, construct a pedestrian path and install educational signage in collaboration with the Mount Crosby Historical Society.
“It was important for Seqwater to repurpose the old weir bridge into a pedestrian path to celebrate the historical significance of the site and continue safely connecting communities,” noted Ms Dixon.
The transformation included the installation of an innovative, new collapsible balustrade system. Designed using a composite fibre technology and a hinge mechanism, the balustrade can be operated to lay flat during flood events, enhancing safety for Seqwater’s dam operators and minimising damage to the bridge during extreme weather events.
The project forms part of Seqwater’s East Bank Flood Resilience Program, with more than $100M being invested into reducing flood risks to critical bulk water infrastructure along the Brisbane River at the historical Mount Crosby precinct.
As part of this program of work, an upgrade is currently underway to the electrical infrastructure at the Mount Crosby East Bank Pump Station.
The upgrade will help to ensure the pump station, which supplies up to one third of South East Queensland’s drinking water to the East Bank Water Treatment Plant for treatment, continues to operate reliably in severe wet weather events.
The works include upgrading the existing motors, investing in critical spares, improving the flood resilience of the heritage-listed building and upgrading critical electrical infrastructure to connect to the new substation.
In collaboration with Seqwater, Energex has built a new electrical substation at the site on higher ground to help ensure a reliable electrical supply to the East Bank Pump Station and Water Treatment Plant in all weather. This was completed in early 2025.
The pump station project commenced in mid-2024 and is expected to be completed in early 2026, weather and site conditions permitting.
For more information on the East Bank Flood Resilience Program or to connect with a member of the project team, visit the project page here: www.seqwater.com.au/project/east-bank-flood-resilience-program. You can also get in touch by emailing [email protected].
