Department tries to explain big tanks at Bellbrae PS

THE Department of Education and Training (DET) says the size and placement of the very large water tanks at the front of Bellbrae Primary School is deliberate, as they are needed to help protect the school and the town from bushfires.

Bellbrae Primary School is undergoing a $11.48 million redevelopment, which comprises a competition-grade gym, improvements to the oval, new learning spaces including Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) facilities, and water and sewerage upgrades.

Morton Dunn Architects was commissioned to design the project, and Lyons Construction started works in September 2020 for a scheduled completion in mid-2022.

Renders of the redevelopment are available online but these do not show the two 151,000-litre silver tanks, which were installed above ground on the boundary facing School Road last week.

There has been some criticism from the community about the tanks’ sheer size, their prominent location and their highly reflective silver paint finish.

In response to inquiries from this newspaper, Bellbrae Primary School assistant principal Louise Kahle declined to comment but referred to a statement from the Department of Education and Training (DET) sent to parents.

The statement says the two “fire service tanks” replaced three former tanks of the same type in the same location.

“The larger tanks are required due to the new additional buildings on the site and are a Building Code requirement,” the statement said.

“They are used for the safety of the school and surrounding community in case of fire, including bushfires. The tanks have to be located on the street frontage so that the fire brigade has direct access in the event of fire.

“Due to the capacity of tanks required, and limited space available onsite, we understand that the existing location was the only suitable option that could be identified to avoid impacting on the student’s outdoor play space, existing water storage locations (i.e. potable water supply), site access and carparking space.

“Ensuring that the kids had plenty of outdoor play space and the existing car park pressures were at front of mind during the design by the architects.”

According to the statement, Bellbrae Primary School is working with the DET and the Victorian School Building Authority “to address any concerns over the appearance of the fire service tanks since the installation”.

“The project team has reviewed the design and is looking at potential solutions. The school can advise that the tanks will be painted to fit in better with the landscape, and that this will be done in the coming weeks. The DET will keep the community up-to-date via the school newsletter and website, and will provide any further details as they become available.

“The safety of our community continues to be the highest priority.”

South Barwon MP Darren Cheeseman, who made an election pledge about the redevelopment in 2018, visited the school last week to inspect the works.

“I can assure you that we have taken on board the concerns over the appearance of the fire service tanks,” he said.

“The height of the tanks takes into account the Australian Standard requirements under Australian Standard AS2419.1, Section 5.4.2 and the space available to the school.”