Lucindale’s topped-up water tank a firefighting boost

A new 43,000 litre water storage tank will soon assist firefighting efforts in the South East as the result of a new partnership between the Lucindale Community Economic Development Board (LINC) and SA Water.

To be constructed adjacent to the Lucindale air strip and fully connected by the end of the month, the tank will provide additional water storage capabilities for water bombers to easily re-fill in the event of a bushfire.

LINC is among 10 recipients of SA Water's 2021-22 Community Partnerships Program, providing $75,000 to support grassroots events and not for profit groups across South Australia who are focused on sustainability, health and wellbeing, or climate change.

Deputy Chair of the Lucindale Community Economic Development Board Geoff Robinson said the air strip has proved to be a crucial piece of infrastructure for local firefighting efforts.

"While the existing water tank at the airstrip played a pivotal role in extinguishing the bushfire impacting the Lucindale community in January this year, we did face challenges in having enough on-site supply to refill the water bombers as quickly as possible," Geoff said.

"When the planes are activated in the event of a bushfire, we need to have an ability to fill three planes in three minutes, which requires a water storage of at least 100,000 litres.

“Our partnership with SA Water enables us to reach this goal and head into the fire season confident that we’re ready to support firefighting efforts right across our region, and efficiently fill water bombers as soon as they land at our strip.”

SA Water's General Manager Strategy, Engagement and Innovation Anna Jackson said the utility was proud to be supporting LINC on this important project.

"The Lucindale air strip is one of the most used for firefighting support in the upper and lower South East, and as proactive environmental leaders we recognise the importance of communities across the state being as prepared as possible in the face of a changing climate," Anna said.

"While it hopefully won't be needed too often in years to come, this new tank adds another level of stand-by support for the Limestone Coast community well into the future."

To see the full list of successful recipients of SA Water's 2021-22 Community Partnerships Program, visit sawater.com.au.

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