Emergency fuel supplies for Epenarra

18 Mar 2011

Recent (February and March) heavy rains across the Barkly region flooded the road into Epenarra, making access impossible for heavy fuel delivery trucks.

In order to keep the power station running, Power and Water Mechanical Service Coordinators Bill Blain and Jim Barker recently coordinated a fuel transfer to Epenarra.

A truck was able to deliver the fuel in 205 litre (44 gallon) drums to Wauchope; a roadhouse located around 140km away on the Stuart Highway.

Over about a week, Bill and Jim were able to organise the delivery of over 20,000 litres of fuel into the community, transporting much of that in drums from Wauchope using four-wheel drive utes with tandem trailers.

With 120km of unsealed road, including a river swollen to around15 metres across and over a metre deep, it took Bill and Jim almost 11 hours to complete the 280km round trip from Wauchope to Epenarra.

Power and Water’s Manager Remote Operations South, Lee Morgan said it is a huge logistical exercise.

“Fortunately the road was just passable for the vehicles, as the alternative was to use a helicopter to deliver fuel,” said Mr Morgan.

The community of Epenarra, also known as Wutunugurra, is around 210km south-east of Tennant Creek by road, 120km of which is unsealed. It is located on the western side of the Frew River and has a population of around 234.