Orbost locals pool resources for farmers

A planned East Gippsland Shire Council re-paint of the Orbost Outdoor Pool ahead of the summer swimming season has resulted in some local farmers receiving donated truckloads of water suitable for stock watering.

The distribution was made possible thanks to a coordinated effort from two local businesses and the Orbost State Emergency Services Unit.

Orbost SES volunteer and casual employee at the pool over summer, Jim Barnett, proposed donating the water to farmers with Council’s Aquatics and Operations Team Leader Andrew Alcock, with the plan given the green light following water testing requirements. Mr Barnett, as a community volunteer, made the approaches to farmers in need.

Orbost Civil & Civic and local water carter Barry Trease carted the water in 10,000 and 25,000-litre loads respectively to about six farmers. About 40 loads totalling some 600,000 litres was carted from Friday through to Sunday. The water would have otherwise been released without benefit.

The water was pumped into the trucks from the pool using the SES equipment, pumping about 10,000 litres every 15 minutes. Trucks were completing their loads in about a 1-1.5-hour round trip.

Council’s pool re-painting works are expected to start this week.