Hillcrest’s Wineglass Tower is one of the most recognisable features of Logan’s skyline. The water reservoir, which has a one megalitre capacity, services 54,000 people daily. But at 35m tall, maintenance and repair to the structure is a challenge.
Logan Water received state-wide acclaim for overcoming these issues, with the project team winning the Asset Management category at the Institute of Public Works Engineering Australasia Queensland (IPWEAQ) Excellence Awards.
Logan City Council Acting Roads and Water Director, Daryl Ross, said renewal of the reservoir was part of a citywide review of water assets.
The Wineglass is one of three reservoirs at the Greenbank Reservoir Complex in Hillcrest.
An audit of the three reservoirs showed that all posed potential risks. These included risks to the reliability of the water supply and safety hazards for operational staff.
The project to replace the roof of the Wineglass, as well as the floor seals of the two ground reservoirs, finished this year.
Improvements were also made to the complex’s pump station and chlorination facilities.
Mr Ross said carrying out $7 million of repairs and upgrades required careful planning.
The Wineglass could not be taken offline as it is the only asset that supplies water to residents so Logan Water had to develop an innovative method of roof replacement.
After removal of damaged roofing, three pontoons were hoisted into the reservoir and the water level lowered.
Mr Ross said the method assured the safe completion of the project and represented a significant cost saving to Council.
The strategy saved almost $35,000 when compared to the cost of traditional scaffolding.
The Asset Management accolade follows Logan City Council’s Project of the Year win at the 2018 IPWEAQ Excellence Awards.