Fuel flown in to Ramingining

08 Apr 2011

Power and Water has chartered a 400-tonne barge to deliver fuel to the Ramingining landing, where a helicopter will pick it up and take it to the community power station.

The barge, which left Darwin at 5.30pm Wednesday, will also deliver essential supplies of liquid chlorine for the water treatment plant.

Fuel is normally delivered from the barge by truck but the barge landing road has been severely damaged in wet season weather.

“The barge is carrying fuel, drums and equipment for a helicopter fuel transfer, including helicopter fuel,” Power and Water Remote Operations General Manager Darryl Day said.

“Over the next three to four days, weather permitting, we will airlift 300, 200-litre drums of fuel into Ramingining.

“The airlift of fuel will ensure reliable generation of electricity continues, and allow time for the East Arnhem Shire Council to undertake road repairs.”

The barge will continue around to the Roper River mouth and travel up the flooded river to deliver a further 300,000 litres of fuel for the Ngukurr Power Station.

“Every year Power and Water stores fuel in Ngukurr to last the whole wet season, but conditions have been particularly severe this year and we are preparing for the road opening to be delayed,” Mr Day said.

“We are taking this opportunity to deliver fuel while the river is flooded and the barge can access the community.”

The barge is also carrying materials to assist with the Ramingining barge landing road repairs.