Cootamundra

10 TANK 1 Positioned near the top of the gentle hill, Fuel Tank 1 was installed in a 17.5 feet (5.3 metres) excavation and further protected from air attack by banked up spoil and dry stone walling. The latter also served as a bund, protecting the site from contamination in the event of spillage. The excavation may have been created by earlier quarrying activity on site, with the stone used for railway line ballast and other constructions. Cootamundra’s first big tank had the capacity to store 120,000 gallons of fuel in comparison to current day service stations which can hold around 10,000 gallons. Constructed from welded steel plate, Tank 1 measured 29.5 feet (8.9 metres) in diameter and 29.4 feet (8.9 metres) in height. The estimated completion date for Tank 1 was 1 December 1941. TANK 2 Tank 2 was identical in size and capacity to Tank 1 but unlike the latter was entirely above ground. To protect its welded steel from bomb and cannon splinters in the event of attack Tank 2 was brick encased to a width of 1 foot 3 inches (40 cm) to within 10 inches (25 cm) from its roof. Splinter proof brick housing was also installed at the tank base to protect the valves and inspection holes. The estimated completion date for the Cootamundra’s Tank 2 was 15 January 1942. Pictured above: Tank 2. Greg Davis