A Wanaka Helicopter lifts the second of two disused water tanks from Ruby Island and transports it to the mainland last Friday. Photo: Kerrie Waterworth
Wanaka Helicopter pilot Peter Spencer-Bower and a team of nine trainee helicopter pilots transported two redundant 10,000-litre water tanks from the island to Wanaka developer Allan Dippie's property next to Waterfall Creek late last week.
Ruby Island Management Committee volunteer co-ordinator Jude Battson said she approached Wanaka Helicopters to help transport the tanks off the island after she found they had become a health and safety risk.
The company agreed to transport the tanks free and Mr Dippie offered to give the committee $1000 for the tanks.
The tanks were installed after the 1992 fire to irrigate new plantings but fell into disrepair after a subsequent smaller fire and had not been used for irrigation since that time.
