UQ GATTON RESERVOIR

UQ GATTON RESERVOIR

This project involved a comprehensive investigation, planning, and design process to address the ageing water storage infrastructure serving a university campus. With the existing 50-year-old concrete reservoir experiencing operational issues and uncertainty surrounding its ability to meet future demand, Brandon & Associates was engaged to assess long-term water storage requirements, evaluate replacement options, and develop a preferred solution suitable for a Design and Construct procurement process. The scope included engineering surveys, geotechnical investigations, network modelling, landscape design, cost planning, and detailed design development.

A detailed options assessment examined alternative reservoir locations, construction materials, storage capacities, and refurbishment opportunities. Following extensive technical and financial evaluation, the preferred solution was identified as the replacement of the existing 4.5 ML reservoir with a new 4 ML reservoir on the same site. To ensure uninterrupted water supply during construction, a temporary 800 KL storage tank was incorporated into the staging strategy. The project required careful consideration of several site constraints, including impacts on nearby veterinary and equestrian facilities, protected vegetation, and the visual prominence of the site at a key campus entry point. To support stakeholder engagement and decision-making, detailed landscape concepts and 3D visualisations were prepared for review by the University Board.

As the project progressed, water network modelling identified deficiencies within the campus reticulation system and highlighted a number of fire services compliance issues. These findings informed a significant evolution of the design strategy, resulting in the recommendation for a dedicated fire water storage system rather than the existing combined domestic and fire water arrangement. Through a rigorous assessment of infrastructure needs, costs, operational requirements, and future demand, the project delivered a strategic pathway for upgrading the campus water supply network while enhancing reliability, resilience, and long-term service performance.