Reflections Holiday Parks have announced safe storage containers for fuel have been delivered to Burrendong Dam and will soon allow park guests to refuel their boats at the dam.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
A dangerous goods compliant shipping container has been purchased and delivered to the park, which would allow for refueling in a safe setting.
In late May, Reflections CEO Steve Edmonds issued a statement stating “to ensure visitor safety, it is not permitted to carry fuel into the parks for vehicles and/or boats which needs to be decanted.
There was outcry from park users and further anger when it was also revealed the fuel service at six locations including Burrendong, Wyangala and the Cudgeegong River at Yarrabin had also been shut down due to recommendations from a safety audit.
It meant boat users would have to take their craft out of the water and drive them several kilometres to the nearest service station when refueling was required.
Reflections Holiday Parks CEO Steve Edmonds said in a statement the company had been working on a solution to minimise disruption.
“The containers will be located on a flat surface within each of our parks with a marked decanting area adjacent to the containers which will be monitored and controlled by select authorised staff,” Mr Edmonds was quoted as saying.
“The authorised staff will be inducted and trained on the correct safety procedures to be able to operate and manage this area for guests and visitors.
“This area will be equipped with fire extinguishers, spill kits and other relevant safety items.
“Once people are ready to fuel up, our staff will assist by retrieving the guests fuel from the locked container and decanting the fuel on behalf of the guest whilst following our strict safety procedures.”
Mr Edmonds said containers were delivered to Burrendong and Burrinjuck parks on June 22, while other parks will get their this week.
They hope to have staff trained and the service up and the service up and running “within a couple of weeks”.
He said once the system was put in place there would be further communication about how fuel could be taken into parks and stored safely and securely.
“Reflections has responsibilities to our staff and guests to provide a safe working environment and also a safe environment where people can come and enjoy the wonderful locations we have on offer,” Mr Edmonds said.
“We are providing a safer temporary fuel storage and decanting alternative to minimise any inconvenience to guests.”
In the long term, Reflections hopes to have its own permanent fuel supply service restored and he said it was hoped it could be automated for 24-hour operation and provide a “a wider range of fuel options”.
Reaction to the Reflections decision on social media has been mixed.