The Mount Crosby Water Treatment Plants are a critical part of the SEQ Water Grid and supply about 50 per cent of South East Queensland’s drinking water supply including the cities of Brisbane, Ipswich and Logan. Following the severe flood events in 2011 and 2013, Seqwater identified improvements across the SEQ Water Grid to improve resilience during all weather. The Brisbane River Catchment Flood Study showed the probability of floodwater inundating the East Bank Pump Station site was greater than previously thought, which is why Seqwater is focused on mitigating the flooding risk to this essential infrastructure. Seqwater’s East Bank Flood Resilience Program involves a number of improvements, to reduce flood risks to critical bulk water infrastructure along the Brisbane River in Mount Crosby. The Master Plan also aims to celebrate the area’s rich cultural heritage. Seqwater recognises the historical significance of the East Bank Pump Station and surrounding precinct and is committed to working with key stakeholders and the local community to revitalise the area as part of the Program.

In early 2018, Seqwater developed a draft Master Plan for the East Bank Pump Station site, aimed at reducing flood risks, while also celebrating the area’s rich cultural heritage and increasing connectivity. The draft Master Plan was released for consultation in 2018, and the community was invited to attend an open day at the East Bank Pump Station.

Feedback included an interest in increasing connectivity throughout the area, better access to community facilities, and maintaining the site’s rich cultural heritage.

The East Bank Pump Station pumps up to 500 million litres (ML) of water a day to the East Bank Water Treatment Plant, which is a critical part of the SEQ Water Grid.

The historical Mount Crosby East Bank Pump Station is located near the Mount Crosby Weir Bridge along the Brisbane River. The pumping station was completed in 1893. Originally steam-powered, coal was transported via a tramway to fire the boilers, creating the steam that drove the pumping engines. This was the practice until steaming ceased in 1948.

Inside the station are eight wells and 16 high voltage pumps. River water is drawn from the weir pool through two intake towers and into the East Bank Pump Station. The pumps then move water to the treatment plant to be turned into safe drinking water. 

Following the severe flood events in 2011 and 2013, Seqwater identified improvements across the SEQ Water Grid to improve resilience during all weather. Since then, Seqwater has increased its chemical storage capacity at the plants so we can continue to treat water during severe weather, invested in improving catchment health, and enhanced our emergency response plans. Capital projects at the Mt Crosby Water Treatment Plants include:

• water proofing the wells inside the East Bank Pump Station
• repairing the river embankment near the East Bank Pump Station
• an alum upgrade to improve treatment processes at East Bank
• centrifuge upgrades to improve sludge handling at both East Bank and West Bank
• upgrading the onsite chemical storage capacity at the East Bank Water Treatment Plant.

The East Bank Pump Station pumps up to 500 million litres (ML) of water a day to the East Bank Water Treatment Plant, supplying drinking water to 1.6 million South East Queenslanders.

Following the severe flood events in 2011 and 2013, Seqwater identified improvements across the SEQ Water Grid to improve resilience during all weather. In 2016, Seqwater began a detailed assessment of the East Bank Pump Station site and its ability to cope and recover during a flood. The Brisbane River Catchment Flood Study showed the probability of floodwater inundating the East Bank Pump Station site was greater than previously thought, which is why Seqwater is focused on mitigating the flooding risk to this essential infrastructure.

After a flood, we need to get the Mount Crosby Water Treatment Plants operating as quickly as possible, because water is critical for human health and large volumes of water are needed for a flood clean up.

To improve flood resilience, a new substation is being constructed on higher ground and the old substation will be decommissioned.

Relocating the substation will ensure the pump station can be back up and running as quickly as possible after a major flood. The existing substation, located near the historic pump station building, is nearing end-of-life and will soon require replacement. Given the critical role of this infrastructure and flood risk associated with the current location, constructing a new substation on higher ground will help secure South East Queensland’s water supply during all weather.

Trees removed for the substation works will be offset via an extended rehabilitation program in the small valley below the substation site. The program will involve weed clearing and planting natives to achieve a natural regional ecosystem density. This has been conditioned in the Development Approval and will be overseen by Brisbane City Council and Seqwater.

Work will take 4-5 years before going into a maintenance period of two years. A concentrated effort in weed control is required so native plants will not have to complete with introduced listed weed species. This will take 12-24 months before planting can begin.

Planting will be undertaken by a rehab specialist and the establishment and growth of the native species will be carefully monitored. We anticipate that this rehabilitation zone will be restored to a natural bushland area and will assist in improving the amenity in this part of Stumers Road, with native food trees attracting more wildlife.

The Mount Crosby weir was constructed in 1927 to create a pumping pool for the water treatment plant and with a bridge crossing to provide access to coal for the nearby pump station. The Master Plan involves constructing a new, higher vehicle bridge over the Brisbane River, and repurposing the existing heritage weir bridge for cyclists and pedestrians. Repurposing the existing bridge will allow access the Mount Crosby Sportsground on Allawah Road.

During low-level flooding at Colleges Crossing, the Mount Crosby weir bridge becomes an access point for the community. The weir bridge is also critical to Seqwater operations and provides a link between the West Bank Water Treatment Plant (WTP) and East Bank WTP.

A new, higher and two-way vehicle bridge provides greater flood resilience than the existing one-way weir bridge. The new vehicle bridge is about 15 metres downstream of the existing Mount Crosby weir bridge on the Brisbane River. It is made of steel-reinforced concrete and about three metres higher than the existing weir bridge, 187 metres long and nine metres wide including the barriers and shoulders. The new vehicle bridge will better withstand flooding and dual lanes will improve the flow of traffic and ensure large vehicles such as trucks and buses can cross safely.

Seqwater is committed to protecting the heritage features of the weir bridge. Within the project site, four elements are listed on the Queensland Heritage Register including the Mount Crosby weir bridge, fish ladder, 1899 remnant bridge piers, and water intake tower.

The new vehicle bridge has been carefully designed to largely avoid impacting heritage elements in the area. This includes building the new vehicle bridge downstream of the weir bridge and placing the new bridge’s piers in between the remnant 1899 bridge piers. In addition, the new vehicle bridge does not impact the historic fish ladder on the downstream side of the weir.

During construction of the new vehicle bridge, the following measures were in place to mitigate construction impacts on some or all the heritage elements:

• Installation of vibration monitors on the existing weir bridge, remnant bridge piers and fish ladder
• Engaging an archaeologist to monitor works particularly when disturbing the ground during road approach remediation and piling
• Installing exclusion zones around heritage elements, to avoid accidental damage by plant equipment or vehicles
• Careful planning of all site works including boring, piling and equipment movement
• Obtaining necessary approvals from Department of Environment and Science, the Department of Transport and Main Roads, the Queensland Heritage Council, Brisbane City Council, and Seqwater.

This project involves the upgrade of critical electrical infrastructure at the East Bank Pump Station, to ensure it continues to operate in peak condition.

The project will upgrade the existing motors, invest in critical spares, improve the flood resilience of the heritage listed pump station building, and upgrade electrical infrastructure to connect to the new substation.

Upgrades commenced in mid-2024, and are expected to be complete in early 2026 (construction conditions permitting).