Petrol plan negotiations continue

BY JESSICA GRIMBLE

Horsham residents continue to fight a business proposal they say is a ‘quantum shift’ from the status quo.

Dooen Road resident James Nuttall said while he did not object to a business operating from the site, a proposal for a 24-hour service station, at the corner of Baillie Street, within a residential area could set a ‘dangerous precedent’ for the regional city.

Urbis Pty Ltd, acting on behalf of Spectrum Retail Group, has lodged a planning permit application for the 7-Eleven service station.

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Aids currently occupies the site, which has been a service station in the past.

Horsham Rural City Council has received 35 objections to date.

Councillors are due to receive a report at their March 27 meeting.

Mr Nuttall, whose property is on the opposite side of the road to the proposed station, acknowledged while concerns varied among residents, he believed the proposal was a ‘massive departure’ from previous operating businesses and the environment of the 1970s and 1980s when a service station last operated there. He said the proposal’s building setbacks and architectural details were ‘not in harmony’ with surrounding homes; and expressed concern about trucks entering and exiting the location.

He said Spectrum Retail Group representatives knocked on his door, unannounced, last year to discuss the project and said there had been no ‘official process’ for discussion or mediation. He called on the council to ‘take leadership’ and bring the parties together. A Facebook page, ‘Stop the Dooen Rd Servo’ also documents people’s concerns including noise, smells and safety.

A Spectrum Retail Group spokesperson said its representatives had sought to communicate with residents to ‘minimise and mitigate any concerns’ both prior to lodging the planning permit, and as recently as last month.

“We endeavoured to answer all their questions and worked to amend the plans to further mitigate their concerns,” the spokesperson said.

“While we were keen to have faceto-face discussion, this was not the wishes of the neighbours, and as such, we’ve respected their request to only communicate in written form.”

The spokesperson said developers worked with the council ‘extensively’ and the proposal had considered the council and residents’ feedback.

“Council’s predominant feedback was positive as the proposed development saw an underutilised and rundown piece of land, being a former service station, transformed into something modern and appropriate for its location. Furthermore, the Department of Transport had endorsed the plan and development after extensive consultation,” the spokesperson said. Horsham was identified as a potential site after a ‘rigorous’ process.

“Firstly, we aim to understand our tenant partner’s requirements in terms of population, residential growth and catchment, demographics, size of the location – including its current and historic use – vehicular access, foot and passing trade and geographically where they’re looking for expansion,” the spokesperson said.

“We are also very passionate about regional development – not just in Horsham but across the eastern seaboard of Australia. The opportunity to introduce a new brand to regional towns, who have often been neglected when it comes to investment and development, has huge benefits, particularly for residents.”

The spokesperson said Wimmera sub-contractors would be sought, where possible, for the development.

Once complete, the service station would employ about a dozen people.

The spokesperson said experts including traffic engineers had informed the site design, and the planner and developer were required to follow ‘stringent regulations and standards’.

“These include local, state and federal laws to planning, environment and safety. 7-Eleven also has a number of design standards regarding minimum distances from other key properties, shop size and traffic movements,” the spokesperson said.

“Spectrum has made amendments to the site design so that the infrequent fuel deliveries do not impose on the clearance on any adjoining driveways.

“Generally, service stations are not considered to be a strong generator of new foot or vehicular traffic; but rather a use that services the existing traffic within the local community.”

The spokesperson said the site design included an acoustic fence, light shields and mature vegetation to combat noise and light spill; nozzles fitted to fuel dispensers that mitigate the release of petroleum fumes when in use; and fibreglass underground tanks that, unlike steel, do not corrode or rust and cause fuel leakage over time.

Leak detection alarms and groundwater testing would monitor for any leakages or loss of product. All-hours surveillance would also be in place.

The council’s co-ordinator statutory planning, Joel Hastings, said councillors would receive copies of all community feedback to the proposal.

“We have received approximately 35 objections to the proposal, which will form part of the assessment in accordance with the requirements of the Planning and Environment Act and will be supplied to councillors,” he said.

“Objections can be received any time prior to the responsible authority’s decision, however, must demonstrate how they will be materially affected. If the community has general feedback they are welcome to make a submission at the time of the council meeting.”