This event is free for members of The Royal Historical Society of Queensland. For non-members, the ticket price includes entry to the Commissariat Store Museum.

The Mount Crosby Pumping Station, situated on the Works Hill at Mt Crosby, has since 1892 been a key component of the Brisbane River Water Supply Scheme first proposed by Alexander Stewart of the Brisbane Board of Water Works in the 1880s. It is the subject of the most recent listing on the Queensland Heritage Register. This presentation provides a strong narrative with heritage images to describe the construction and long-term operation of this amazing infrastructure, which continues in use today. The narrative discusses the industrial, technical and social aspects of the supply scheme’s development and focuses on step changes at the pumping station that reflect the demands of a growing city and the means available to supply water.

The speaker – Col Hester

Col is an applied chemist and general manager at Urban Utilities, Queensland’s largest water utility. Col is also the president of the Mount Crosby Historical Society, dedicated to piecing together the town’s historical narrative in interesting ways.