Contractors have removed disused fuel tanks from beneath Guyra's main street, clearing an obstacle for a major upgrade of the town's central business district, Armidale Regional Council announced today.
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Eight steel tanks were found and removed between February 19 and March 7, all under the eastern side of Bradley Street.
Ground penetrating radars late last year indicated as many as 19 tanks could be beneath Bradley Street and the footpath.
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Excavations at the identified locations only found seven in front of Burgess Garage, and another in front of the former Thrifty Link Hardware site.
Materials excavated during the tanks' removal are now being analysed. This is expected to take about three weeks, and will indicate what remediation of the sites is required.
"Council will be guided by advice from the NSW Environment Protection Authority about any required remediation of the sites," Mayor Simon Murray said.
"We will then know the full cost of removing the tanks and treating the sites, which will allow us to determine the final budget and scope for the main street upgrade."
The $2.7 million main street upgrade is expected to complement the historic architecture of the street, create a more consistent theme throughout the street landscape, and provide a safer environment for pedestrians.
Local artists and school students will work together to create street art.
