So was the case when we started asking around social media about the purpose of these old pipes, located on a wall of the former Central Service Station in Victoria Street in Taree.

With the help of some knowledgeable locals on Facebook (both the Manning River Times page and the group You’re from Taree If...) and Instagram we learned they are breather/vent pipes for the fuel storage tanks underground that would let air in and out as the fuel moves in and out. 

“If you didn't have them and pumped the petrol out you would create a vacuum and get no more fuel out of the storage tanks. They also vented fumes from the tanks,” said Tim Crossley.

Sam Aldridge and Kenneth Hazelwood added that the caps, or ‘hats’, on the top of the pipes were there to stop the rain getting in. 

Dean Dennes said pipes from underground fuel tanks are seen at service stations but standing straight up.