Main street works dig up part of Cobar’s history
Wednesday September 2, 2009
Upgrade and beautification works in Cobar’s CBD area have uncovered two fuel tanks.
Workers digging up part of the footpath area outside Khan’s SUPA IGA located the two tanks on Sunday, although Cobar Shire Council’s special projects officer Angela Shepherd said their discovery was not a complete surprise.
“We knew they were under there, it was just working out exactly where they were located.
“If they were a bit closer to the building, they would not have made any difference to the works, but it turns out they are in the way by about 40cm,” Ms Shepherd said.
The tanks will now need to be removed in order for contractors to continue laying conduit for new telecommunications and electricity infrastructure in the main street.
The fuel tanks were decommissioned in 1960, and were found to still contain some liquid, although it is not believed to be fuel.
“We have taken some samples of the liquid which has been sent to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for testing.
“At some stage over the years a contractor has already drilled through them and laid services,” Ms Shepherd said.
The EPA tests will determine how the tanks can be removed.
Ms Shepherd said workers will continue to work around the tanks to lay new kerb and guttering.
“If the fuel tanks contain only water, we will get someone to pump them out then hopefully remove them at night to minimise disruption.”
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