Beneath this towering steel structure, can you feel the echoes of Brisbane’s past? This is the Newstead Gasworks Gasometer. It stands as a proud monument to Brisbane’s industrial heritage. For over a century, this site was the heart of the city’s gas supply.
Let’s step back in time to the late 19th century. Brisbane was a rapidly growing city. Its population more than doubled between 1861 and 1864. The demand for gas to light the streets and power homes and businesses soared. The Brisbane Municipal Council wanted street lighting. Gas was the only feasible system then.
The Newstead Gasworks emerged in 1887. It became Brisbane’s second gasworks. But before that, the original gasworks was at Petrie Bight. The No.2 gasholder was likely moved here from that original site. It was erected there in 1873.
One notable figure was Lewis Adolphus Bernays. He was a founding director of the Brisbane Gas Company. Bernays was also prominent in other Queensland organisations. He served as clerk of the Queensland Legislative Assembly.
In the early days, the council struggled to pay its gas bills. This led to temporary blackouts. But by 1873, the council’s finances improved. The gas company installed a larger gasholder to meet demand.
The Cowlishaw family had a long association with the company. James Cowlishaw was chairman for 41 years. His brother George also served on the board. Later, James’ son Thomas Owen Cowlishaw took over.
The main use for gas was lighting. The council was the company’s biggest customer. The company expanded its supply to areas like South Brisbane. They acquired land at Newstead to facilitate expansion.
JH Tomlinson was the company’s engineer for the shift to Newstead. He managed the design and erection of the new gasworks. The equipment was imported from England. The company began manufacturing gas at Newstead in 1887.
The Petrie Bight gasholder No.2 was re-erected at the Newstead site. It was made of puddled iron. This material is a type of wrought iron produced through a specific refining process.
The late 1880s saw another land boom. Demand for gas surged again. A second gasworks, the South Brisbane Gas and Light Company, was formed. A price-cutting war ensued until the companies divided Brisbane into territories.
Electricity emerged as a competitor. Gas lighting gradually faded. But the demand for gas as fuel continued to grow. In 1929, a larger gasholder was commissioned.
In 1937, gasholder No.2 received a new steel plate crown. After World War II, gas demand boomed again. In 1999, gasholder No.3 was dismantled. No.2 was disabled.
Today, the Newstead Gasometer stands as a heritage-listed landmark. It is a reminder of Brisbane’s industrial past. The Gasworks Newstead urban redevelopment project has repurposed the site. It is now an outdoor amphitheatre.
The Newstead Gasworks No.2 gasholder demonstrates the growth of gas supply in Brisbane. It is a rare example of a frame-guided gasholder. It has the potential to yield information about the evolution of gas technology.
Large round structures are unusual and attractive. The Gasometer’s cylindrical shape and spherical crown have aesthetic significance. For over 100 years, it was a familiar sight to passers-by. It is an important landmark for the community.
Heath Williamson reimagined the Gas Ring as a public sculpture. It features a lighting and sound installation. The Gas Ring is 40 meters in diameter. It has 20 spires each 20 meters tall. Anolis LED lighting fixtures illuminate the structure.
The redeveloped Brisbane Gasworks project includes retail and commercial spaces. The Gasworks accommodates workers and residents. The lit Gas Ring stands out like a beacon. The Newstead Gasometer is a testament to Brisbane’s history. It bridges the gap between the past and the present.