The prominent waterworks operation, incorporating daily life as place of employment, residence, and recreation, and the relatively remote location, fostered a close-knit and social community of workers and their families.

The legislation enabled the Brisbane Municipal Council to construct reservoirs, supply water to the town and to charge for services, but allowed the Queensland Government to influence decisions with the establishment of a Board of Waterworks.

It was reported in 1891 that "only about twelve months have elapsed since the first workman struck his pick into the side of the hill to form the site for the buildings, and now the completion of the works is close at hand".

[14][15] As initial work progressed well, in April 1891 the ceremony of laying the foundation stone was attended by numerous dignitaries, including the Colonial Secretary, Hon.

To service the equipment within the engine house, a hand-operated traveling crane was installed, running above the wells at a high level on parallel iron rails.

"Dotting the hillside at every eligible spot, lies the calico township of Mount Crosby, in the midst of which the great brick chimney stack...rears its lofty head".

Unusually for the time, the duplexes were not placed uniformly, facing a road, or within a grid layout, instead they followed the contours of the hill, each with a different outlook toward the pumping station or out to the high-level reservoir.

When first complete, the pumps were worked for up to 16 hours a day in two shifts, requiring constant attendance at the station, in particular the firemen, whose job it was to stoke the boilers with coal.

Much of the equipment was deemed to be inefficient and tenders were called for its upgrading, "the proposed new pumping plant was of three units, each capable of delivering 6,000,000 gallons [27,000,000 litres] of water from the Brisbane River in 24 hours".

The aerial ropeway was powered by a steam engine installed on the west bank and situated slightly further downstream from the weighbridge; the loading station was located here as well.

Anglers on the upper reaches began to notice the depleted stock, and farmers were concerned with the higher numbers of leeches, previously controlled by the mullet as a food source, affecting the cattle.

The official opening ceremony was held on the 30 March 1951, and was attended by dignitaries including the Queensland Premier, Ned Hanlon, and Brisbane Lord Mayor, John Beals Chandler.

[97] The control room became the centre for the plant and was described at the time:[100][1]Here, on a large curved desk top, the whole installation is represented diagrammatically, the electrical supply system and the motors and pumps and valves, and in this diagram miniature switches are incorporated.

The complex is organised into separate but adjacent connected zones that reflect the historical operations and key phases of technological development that have formed the place.

A branch line on the west bank curved south to a loading station for the aerial ropeway (1915) that spanned the river to convey construction materials to the treatment plant to the northeast.

The steam-powered pumping station was expanded and upgraded over time, responding to the increased demands on the water supply and as new technology became available, including the transition to electrification (1939-51).

Standing in modest yards and elevated on posts, the duplexes and the cottage have a similar four-room core and front and rear verandahs and the understoreys are mostly open with earth floors.

The recreation area has potential sub-surface artefacts and features from the brief but intensive "day labour" workforce, which camped on-site while constructing the pumping station.

The range of dwelling types reflects the hierarchy of employment positions, from the small drayman's cottage and four fireman's duplexes (1892), to the two large elevated engineers' houses (1891).

[1] The fish ladder at Mount Crosby, built in 1941 using funds provided by six local councils and the State Fisheries Department, was a combined government effort to save wild mullet.

It is important in demonstrating a  coordinated government response to ensure the longevity of a native species essential to the state's commercial fishing industry in south east Queensland.

The extensive Mount Crosby pumping station Complex has the potential to reveal further information about late 19th and early 20th century waterworks infrastructure and operations, the transition from steam to electric power, and the people who lived and worked there.

[1] Detailed analysis of the pumping station – its layered building fabric and associated fixtures and equipment – has the potential to address research questions relating to early and evolving waterworks technology, layout, construction, materials and operation.

[1] Archaeological investigations of the remnant tramway, winch tram and aerial ropeway infrastructure, including surface and sub-surface features, has the potential to contribute to a greater understanding of the layout and operation of transportation systems associated with historically remote steam-powered waterworks.

[1] The collection of workers residences may facilitate detailed studies relating to the proximity of industrial and domestic life, and social dynamics of the community in the late 19th century.

Analysis of the layout, design and fabric of the residences and associated landscape features could address research questions relating to: the rationale behind the hierarchical siting of dwellings; and how the unusual use of duplexes may have reflected operational conditions.

[1] Archaeological investigations of the Recreation Area have the potential to reveal sub-surface artefacts and features that might inform on the living conditions of the brief but intensive "day labour" workforce, which camped on-site while constructing the pumping station, including addressing research questions relating to consumption activities, the presence of women and children, and the layout and nature of dwellings.

It is important in demonstrating the principal characteristics of its type through its: waterside location; weirs (1902–1918 and 1926–1928) and water intake (1926); pumping station (1892–1949); associated waterworks resources supply infrastructure, including coal tram cabin and weighbridge (1913), tracks (1913 and 1926–1928), and remnant tramway embankments, cuttings, and aerial ropeway loading station (1915); and, at isolated sites of the type, waterworks-provided worker's houses (1891–1892) and social facilities (Community Hall, 1919).

It provides shifting, attractive views to: the collection of matching, small timber houses and their yards; the hall; the large grassed and treed Recreation Area; the terraced gardens of Works Hill; the substantial pumping station with its attractive face brick facade and open, flat setting; and the waterworks structures built in and next to the Brisbane River – the intake tower, 1926–1928 weir and overbridge, 1899 bridge remnants, and 1941 fish ladder.

Established in 1892, Mount Crosby pumping station Complex has a strong association with past and present workers and their families, some of whom have generational links with the place.