Gas Stripping Tower: A Relic of Brisbane's Industrial Past

The Gas Stripping Tower, located in the West End of Brisbane, Queensland, is a heritage-listed tower that offers a glimpse into the city's industrial past. Constructed in 1912 by Robert Dempster & Sons Ltd in Yorkshire, England, the cast iron tower was shipped to Brisbane in segments and erected at the West End Gasworks. It was part of the South Brisbane Gas & Light Company's efforts to upgrade their production facilities. The tower's primary function was to strip raw coal gas of its impurities, specifically ammonia and coal tar. This process involved piping gas into the base of the tower, where it would rise through internal baffles while water was sprayed from a tank at the top. The water would then strip the gas of the impurities, which were drained and sold as ammonia liquor. By 1949, more advanced techniques rendered the tower obsolete, and it was decommissioned. In the 1970s, with the introduction of natural gas, the gasworks became redundant, and most of the structures were demolished. However, the Gas Stripping Tower was spared and later restored. It was moved approximately 150 meters from its original location to its current site near Davies Park on Riverside Drive. Today, the tower stands as a unique historical landmark, offering visitors a chance to reflect on Brisbane's industrial heritage. Although access to the tower itself is restricted due to safety concerns related to nearby fig trees, it can still be viewed from a distance.