Storm-damaged reservoir tanks sold in silent auction

Storm-damaged reservoir tanks sold in silent auction

Clutha District Council has sold 11 new, but damaged reservoir tanks by silent auction.

The tanks were purchased for the Clydevale/Pomahaka rural water scheme and the Owaka township, and were recovered from their respective reservoir sites after being impacted and damaged during the wind event in October 2025.

A public silent auction was opened on 11 September and closed on 24 September 2026, which allowed parties to submit bids for individual tanks or the lot.

Council has accepted the highest whole-of-lot bid of $17,000 (including GST) for all 11 tanks.

Council’s Chief Executive, Steve Hill, says the auction process provided a fair and transparent way to dispose of the damaged tanks.

Individual bids were received for certain tanks, but Council also needed to consider the practical implications of any unsold assets.

“Selling all of the tanks together avoids ongoing management, future disposal costs, and potential risks associated with keeping the damaged tanks on site.”

Funds from the sale will be credited back to the water schemes that they were intended for.

The tanks were purchased for added resilience for these water schemes. Replacement tanks for both reservoir sites have now been installed and became fully operational in July 2026.

The bids were reviewed through Council's normal executive approval processes, and then the successful bidder was notified.

The tanks were sold on an ‘as is where is’ basis, and the purchaser is responsible for removing the tanks and meeting all associated health and safety requirements in accordance with the sale conditions.