At an opening ceremony today (Monday, 15 September, 2025), Toowoomba Regional Council (TRC) celebrated the Emmanulla Drive reservoir upgrades which have delivered long term water security for the Kingsthorpe community.
Toowoomba Region Deputy Mayor and Strategic Water Planning and Capital Delivery portfolio spokesperson Councillor Rebecca Vonhoff said this project meant Kingsthorpe now has the critical water infrastructure they need to continue to grow.
"From November last year to August [2025], Council's Strategic Water Planning and Capital Delivery team have worked towards replacing Kingsthorpe's two 75 kilolitre reservoirs with a new 630 kilolitre reservoir," Cr Vonhoff said.
"This project is about more than just pipes and concrete. It's about security and sustainability."
"There are a few things which any community needs to thrive and reliable, safe drinking water is at the top of that list. Delivering this project has increased the reservoir's capacity by almost 300 per cent which will support the ongoing development of the Kingsthorpe area."
Cr Vonhoff said TRC has a duty to manage the Region's water supply wisely and Council is committed to making necessary and strategic enhancements to the water distribution network.
"We need to invest in our Region's water infrastructure, these reservoir upgrades are another example of Council acting now, for the future."
This investment was proudly funded by the Queensland Government in association with TRC.
Council received $847,500 of funding under Round 6 of the Queensland Government's Building Our Regions program, which focuses on funding improvements to water supply and sewerage systems across regional communities.
The Queensland Government's funding covered about 28 per cent of the total project costs, which were around $3 million to deliver.
The Emmanulla Drive reservoir upgrade involved the demolition and removal of the old reservoirs, the installation of a new concrete reinforced reservoir, construction of a new sleeper retaining wall, installation of a new PRV (pressure reducing valve) on Chamberlin Road, upgrades to the Mount Kingsthorpe Bushland Park stormwater infrastructure and site accessibility.
Cr Vonhoff thanked local consulting engineers Kehoe Myers, civil construction contractors Newlands Group, and Titus Civil Consulting for working alongside TRC's Strategic Water Planning & Capital Delivery team on this project.
"I am proud that Council has delivered this project on behalf of the community," Cr Vonhoff said.
Top photo caption:(From left) Titus Civil Consulting project manager Daniel Whitehouse, TRC Manager Water Infrastructure Services Paul Hockings, Newlands Group Project Manager Brendan Reid, Deputy Mayor and Strategic Water Planning and Capital Delivery portfolio spokesperson Cr Rebecca Vonhoff, TRC Supervisor Trunk Mains James Cosh, Newlands Group Plumbing Manager Adam May and Newlands Group Project Engineer Simon Bowles at the opening ceremony of the new 630 kilolitre reservoir on Emmanulla Drive.
Bottom photo caption:The new reservoir's capacity has meant an increase in water storage by almost 300 per cent.
