Esperance RSL’s Leopard Tank to stay put for 21 years at peppercorn lease

Esperance’s Leopard tank will stay put in the centre of town for the next 21 years at a peppercorn lease, with one councillor vowing to pay for it himself.

Esperance Shire councillors unanimously backed a submission by the Esperance RSL to allow the tank to sit at its present site until 2041.

An amendment to the motion by Cr Wes Graham saw the proposed $110 per year lease slashed to just $1, which the councillor quipped he would fund himself.

Esperance RSL president Shane Miller said the financial support was a welcome bonus.

“We raise all our money ourselves so any help we can get from anyone is great,” he said.

“If you want to spend half an hour sitting there watching the tank there will be five or six people coming up to take photos.

“I don’t know what we’d do with it if we were told we weren’t able to have it there anymore.”

Cr Dale Piercey said the tank should not be in such a central spot, but did back the motion.

She said the Shire may be obliged to drop fees for other groups if the RSL’s lease was reduced.