Drivers on Hindmarsh Drive have probably passed it countless times without a second glance but that big green water tank near the Mugga Lane lights is getting a pretty spectacular makeover.
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Officially known as the Narrbundah reservoir by Icon Water, the tank supplies water to the inner-south. It holds 18 million litres of water.
The tank has been the target of vandals who graffiti its walls but it's hoped a beautiful new mural by Canberra's mural man Geoff Filmer will put an end to that.
Geoff, assisted by his sculptor dad Pete, has been spraypainting a vista of native plants and animals along one section of the seven-metre-high tank.
He gets on a scissor-lift and simply draws an outline, free hand, without a stencil or any other aid.
"I just think, 'That needs to go there and that needs to go there' and then I colour it in," he said.
Geoff is Canberra's mural man. He's done murals at the Erindale bus station, Dickson pool, Moore and Bunda streets in the city, Floriade and even on pipes from the Cotter Dam. He's also turned a pump station on Red Hill into a Tardis.
"I'm really thankful I get the opportunity to colour Canberra," he said.
"It's such a lovely city to live and this is just a fantastic job."
The Narrabundah reservoir, one of 47 reservoirs across Canberra, was built in the early 1960s.
The water tank will feature banksias, paper daisies, goannas, pelican and more.
"It's designed to sit in the natural environment while still being bright and happy," Geoff said.
Geoff's dad Pete, 72 next week, is a former ranger who started wood-turning and sculpting in the mid 1980s. He now helps his son on the murals.
"I used to work with him as his apprentice and offsider and he taught me how to be an artist," Geoff said.
"Dad's now retired and he generously comes out to help me and it's just a lovely experience."
