During World War II, Camp Columbia was a major staging ground for US and Dutch forces in the Pacific. Over time, the site underwent significant development and expansion. After the war, it was repurposed as immigration housing and later served as a National Service training facility. Today, few remnants of the WWII-era camp remain, but one of the most significant and best-preserved structures is the now-abandoned sewerage treatment plant.
This research project by the Camp Columbia Heritage Association (CCHA) aims to uncover the historical significance of this facility, exploring its role within the broader Camp Columbia complex. A key focus is to understand its engineering and construction, as well as its potential for educating the public about the site’s wartime and post-war history.
Interestingly, older Brisbane residents who remember the facility often remark that, at the time, the military and later migrant camp had better sewerage infrastructure than many Brisbane suburbs. Once well-known, this large-scale system has since faded into obscurity. However, its surviving structures reveal remarkable craftsmanship, particularly in the brickwork of the large treatment tanks.
Research has also identified similar plants built during the same period, prompting further investigation into their design and function. The CCHA research team is working to unravel the history of this infrastructure and its engineering in greater detail. We are eager to hear from individuals with expertise in this type of engineering, as well as anyone who has knowledge or personal stories related to the facility and its history.
If you have insights to share, we encourage you to get in touch. Your contributions can help piece together this fascinating but overlooked chapter of Brisbane’s wartime heritage.
