This week a team of community-minded residents removed blue shroud from the disused former Ampol fuel depot.
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The state of the disused depot was described as “absolutely unacceptable” by residents.
They brought scissors and secateurs to improve the entrance to town and help boost community pride.
“I consider it totally unacceptable to have this flapping around at the entrance to Cootamundra,” resident Margaret Pavitt said.
“So we decided to remove it.”
Mrs Pavitt said further improvements to the site would be welcome, however she was unsure of who’s responsibility the site was.
“Regardless of who owns it, the dead timber should be cleaned up,” she said.
Cathy Tolmie lives next door to the site and said the overgrown grass and fallen timber presented a fire risk.
“I was really nervous last summer because of the bushfire risk, it’s also an ugly entrance to the town,” Mrs Tolmie said.
The site has been identified as of significant heritage by the NSW Department of Planning.
As well as helping out this week, Hugh Hamilton has been researching the history of the site, which he said was supplied by train with the fuel piped under the road.
Mr Hamilton said the fuel was then taken to the airport by 44 gallon drum and later by tanker.
“It was built for the Second World War and one of several built across the state,” he said.
Mr Hamilton said the site used to be used for grazing by sheep which helped keep the grass under control.
After the war the site was used by Ampol and later Caltex Australia.
Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council’s interim development and community director Chris Imrie said there was an agreement in place to transfer ownership of the site, expected in late February.
Mr Imrie said remediation works started in November had been completed.
Once the site is in council’s ownership, Mr Imrie said maintenance would become focus as well as finding ways to utilise the site to showcase part of the town’s heritage.
“It’s quite remarkable and quite important. Once we own it, we can start planning.”