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Full throttle

LEONGATHA’S first 24 hour service station will proceed, despite objections from neighbours and a rival fuel company.

United Petroleum will build and operate the station on the corner of South Gippsland Highway and Shingler Street.

The proposal by United Petroleum includes a canopy, convenience store and three rows of pumps.

Cr Don Hill welcomed the development, saying it would fill an empty space at the entrance to town. The lot was previously a used car yard.

“It is a positive step that will give more competition for petrol in the area,” he said, noting Leongatha’s prices were often 20 cents a litre more expensive than at Somerville on the Mornington Peninsula.

Cr Jeremy Rich agreed, saying “A bit of competition to do with fuel is sorely needed in South Gippsland.”

Cr Andrew McEwen said Leongatha’s fuel prices were comparable to those in the isolated outback town of Tennant Creek in the Northern Territory, due to lack of competition.

He believed motorists would save up to $10 a week on their fuel bills as a result of United opening in town.

Deputy mayor Cr Maxine Kiel opposed the service station, noting residents’ lives were “going to be hugely impacted” by noise, traffic and fumes.

Cr Hill said there was little council could do, given the service station was proposed for a commercial zone adjoining a residential area.

Cr Aaron Brown said the proposal was a positive investment in the region and Cr Alyson Skinner said neighbours had little option to sell or move.

Neighbours were concerned about the impact the 24 hour station, with noise and lighting their biggest concerns.

United Petroleum may install window shutters on the home of Gary Iwanovski and Theresa Ott in Shingler Street to shield their windows from vehicle lights as traffic exits the service station.

However, initially the company would only do so if the Iwanovskis withdrew their objection. That would have reduced the number of objections to the proposal and therefore increased the likelihood of council officers assessing the project, rather than councillors. Council officers recommended council issue a permit for the service station.

Cr McEwen objected to the company’s condition, urging them to show goodwill to neighbours instead.

Cr Meg Edwards also wanted United to plant vegetation on the naturestrip to further improve neighbours’ privacy.

The company finally agreed to talk with council to get “the best outcome for residents”.

Mr Iwanovski was also concerned about extra traffic in Shingler Street, the risk of a collision and his property being devalued.

“It’s going to affect our living standards, privacy and quality of life,” he said.

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Posted by on Dec 20 2016. Filed under Featured, News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry

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