Spring Hill Reservoirs

Just behind the windmill on Wickham Terrace are a couple of low-set buildings, nestled in behind the shrubbery. You can just make them out in this picture - click for a larger view.(Photo: © 2010 the foto fanatic)

The buildings are all locked up, so there is no access to the interiors presently. After recent refurbishment of the windmill and the exterior of the buildings (see one below - there are a couple more just like it), Brisbane's lord mayor indicated that they may be opened to the public at some future time as part of Brisbane's heritage assets.
(Photo: © 2010 the foto fanatic)

Well, what are they? They are entrances to the service reservoirs on Spring Hill.There are two reservoirs, the first constructed in 1871 and the second in 1882. They received water from the Enoggera Reservoir at The Gap and stored it for use in the city. Their total capacity was over two million litres. Although I was unable to go inside, the following photo at the Brisbane City Council shows the interior of the reservoirs. The outer walls are 36 centimetres thick and constructed of brick, and the interior chambers are reinforced by brick arches for strength.

(Photo: Courtesy BCC Library; #BCC S35-939654)

These reservoirs were kept in use until September 1962.

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