Contractor engaged for Guyra fuel tank removal

A contractor has been engaged to remove or rehabilitate disused fuel tanks beneath the Guyra main street and it will soon be clear how their management will affect an upgrade of the town’s central business district, according to Armidale Regional Council Mayor Simon Murray.

The November Council meeting approved the appointment of a contractor to analyse, treat or remove the tanks, which were discovered during site preparations for the main street restructure and upgrade.

It is estimated there could be as many as 19 tanks located below Bradley Street and the footpath.

“In keeping with our original commitment to avoid disruptions to the Guyra CBD during the festive period and the Guyra Lamb & Potato Festival in January, physical works for the project will not begin until February,” Councillor Murray said.

“While the main street upgrade will be a valuable boost for Bradley Street traders in the long term, Christmas trade and the annual Lamb & Potato Festival are both very important to local businesses – and the wider community – and will be avoided.”

Cr Murray said it is expected to cost around $250,000 to fully investigate the tanks and deal with them.

“We will need to pinpoint their locations, assess their condition and quantify any soil contamination caused by leaks from the tanks,” he said.

“Only then we will now exactly how many tanks will need to be removed, how the others might need to be stabilised or rehabilitated and how much contaminated soil will need to be removed or treated.

“It is currently unknown whether tanks on the eastern side of the road can be safely removed or whether they need to be rehabilitated in place because of their close proximity to building foundations,” he said.

“The cost of these processes is highly likely to have some impact on the project funds left to carry out the street upgrade.”

Cr Murray said this would determine how much of the main street is reconstructed.

“The extent of the reconstruction and a schedule for the works will be more clear in March and further updates to will be provided to the community at that time,” he said.

Published on 14 Dec 2018