Feb2015_LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Dear Editor,

So much for requesting from UnityWater that a firefighting water main be installed in the Dayboro Showgrounds (see November 2014 edition of the Dayboro Grapevine).

I have since found out that, when he was developing Millbrook Estate, Craig Doyle laid a 150mm water main through the showgrounds from Edmonds Court to Millbrook Estate, via Tullamore Park.  Through the showgrounds, this water main basically runs parallel to the side of the Rodeo Arena, from north to south. UnityWater, in their wisdom, decided to place three fire hydrants on this water main just before Christmas instead of taking any notice of what I had proposed. 

This water main crosses the vacant block of land at the end of Edmonds Court, south towards the soccer field. Our brilliant strategists from UnityWater decided to place the first of three fire hydrants on this water main, just before it crosses the pipes that allow the creek water to flow under the soccer field. Brilliant idea – if you only want to use the fire hydrant to water the soccer field. It is almost inaccessible to a fire appliance – even a 4WD one.  The water main crosses those pipes and turns south.  Almost behind the ladies toilet block below the woodchop arena is where they decided the second of the three fire hydrants should be placed.  Not a very clever idea – especially if you’re trying to position a 2WD fire appliance on that slope to access the water from that hydrant, but it’s better than nothing.

Now for the piece de resistance, the third fire hydrant was placed in ‘swampy’ (at the moment) Tullamore Park, across two boggy creeks from the Dayboro Kindergarten and about 100 metres from the showground fence.  What possessed UnityWater to place the third hydrant there is anyone’s guess !!  If the Kindergarten was on fire (and I hope it never is), it would be far easier to run water hose into the fire appliance down the laneway from the Dayboro School in McKenzie Street.

 

I have ceased pulling my hair out regarding this stupidity as I have hardly any left.  Is it any wonder why our water bills are so high, especially when UnityWater wastes our funds in this manner.  I was also told by someone who should know better that those fire hydrants were not placed there for our (Fire Brigade) use.  The plates that cover these water access points have "FH" moulded onto them – and, the last time I looked, that "FH" stood for "Fire Hydrant" !!  I plan on annoying UnityWater until they come up with a decent proposal to make our showground buildings fire safe.

Glenn Bell,

56 Saddleback Drive,

Dayboro. 4521.