Business taps demand reservoir

WATER is a hot topic so former software company section manager Ian Tragis is delighted to have found a marketing pipeline for his new water tank business.
Ian retired from the Brisbane technology scene about six years ago, weary of staring into a computer screen and keen to build up an outdoor business.
He and wife Sheryl set up Garden Magic to specialise in "soft" landscape gardening, which means working with plants and irrigation rather than concrete and paving.
Then the drought and south-east Queensland’s water supply crisis bit hard.
The couple diversified just a few months ago into "water storage solutions and drought proofing".
With the south-east Queensland water crisis in the news daily, Ian placed a notice in the Redland Times and Bayside Bulletin Trade Services Water Tanks column.
Redlanders rushed their phones to find out more from the Daisy Hill business.
Ian joked this week he was now a little weary of scooting around the Redlands to give quotes.
He had made three trips to Alexandra Hills, two to Wynnum West, two to Alexandra Hills, two to Capalaba and one each to Birkdale and Thorneside – all thanks to the Trade Services notice.
After returning home from McTaggart St, Capalaba, Ian said 5000-litre tanks were outselling the smaller tanks.
"A tap uses roughly 25 to 30 litres a minute, so a 3000-litre tank may give you only about 100 minutes of water use," he said.
"It doesn’t get far. Most people want a bit to splash around. But we are into managing the water through irrigation systems as well as supplying the tanks."
Ian’s brother, Stan, who is building a house on Russell Island, will need to place his tank order soon.
The tank specialist expects to get busier in months to come.
IT almost rained fridges after two mates who grew up in the Redlands moved back to Victoria Point to end their taste of the Gold Coast lifestyle.
The budget-conscious young women placed a Classified ad, "Wanted. Fridge in good condition, up to $100…"
The pair, who asked for their names to be withheld, bought a $50 Simpson bar fridge and may now advertise for new mobile phones after their batteries ran flat from a total of more than 40 fridge calls.
This column appeared yesterday in the Redland Times, based in Cleveland, Redland Shire, Queensland, Australia.