The call out for water deliveries has unsurprisingly increased as drought-labelled areas wait for the skies to offer a downpour amounting in what locals are hoping will be "significant".
Recent falls have been described as "disappointing" with forecasts for storms in the week towards our publication date of October 15.
Blake Dempster of the Stanthorpe Holiday Park (formerly the Blue Topaz), in Severnlea, south of Stanthorpe, told the Town & Country Journal that despite having the water delivery truck off the road due to water in the fuel tank, they're back pumping, resulting in deliveries from Dalveen to Ballandean, and beyond.
"We are on the road for at least 40 hours a week," Blake told us last Monday. "We are hearing that people are buying water for the first time. We might have seen enough to make the grass green but it's not filling people's tanks. We're in a green drought."
While the storm chasers might be hoping against hope, and backing predictions with research, Blake predicts "it's only going to get worse" and "water carterers will be busy, without exception".
What is worse for he and wife, Amanda, at the park, is that some negative reviews have impacted visitor numbers.
"Less people are coming to the park," Blake said. "We've had a couple of mediocre ratings (about dry grounds) that impact the tourist income. It's a big expense to make sure the park has water.
"Water is such a precious resource and sometimes the rain might be predicted but we are in a pocket that gets nothing."
Blake and Amanda offer deliveries for those who need water immediately, from transportation smaller than the delivery truck, if it is occupied.
Call them on 0431 683 022, or better still, book a delivery via their website in a service created specifically to assist without having to call. Visit https://stanthorpeholidaypark.com.au/
Read More: Stanthorpe
