Councillors have approved a skid-mounted vacuum unit and truck at a cost of $200,000, which will be included in the water fund’s 2017/18 budget.

The unit uses high-pressure water to excavate material, reducing the damage risk to existing underground services, and can be used for cleaning and maintaining hydrants and valves. 

The measure comes on top of upscaled maintenance to the network.

In a report to councillors, water and sewerage strategic manager Wayne Beatty said up to three teams were working on hydrant and valves at any one time. 

“Hydrants are being inspected, internally cleaned, clearly marked and, where necessary, raised above the surrounding road/footpath to ensure they are accessible,” he said.

The deliberately-lit fire destroyed 130 vehicles in the JG Auto Sales holding yard, but firefighting efforts were hampered by insufficient water flows because a valve had been closed due to a leak at the roundabout at Dalton and McLachlan streets.

As a result, William Street was supplied by March Street only.

Fire crews took 25 minutes to set up relay pumps to access a main in Byng Street.

The council had already recommended affected water users be notified if valve closures caused a fall in pressure and Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) be advised if changes had the potential to affect firefighting capability.

But the most recent report to councillors, after a full debrief with FRNSW on March 8, also recommended having a direct point of contact between the two agencies to keep mapping systems up to date and providing firefighters access to the works depot.

The council’s water carting truck has been modified to fit FRNSW water fittings and would be placed on standby if required.

Council staff have been nominated as contacts to assist in the event of a fire.

Mayor John Davis said the council now had a plan to go forward.

“We have a report that can’t be faulted,” he said.