MURRURUNDI residents are expected to voice their concerns, about a proposed 24-hour, seven-days-a-week service station, at the Upper Hunter Shire Council meeting next week.
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The development, which involves demolition of existing structures and the construction of a single storey building, passenger and truck fuel pumps, restaurant/take-away, service station retail, passenger and truck re-fuelling canopy, associated car parking, signage and landscaping, is one of the items on Monday night’s agenda.
The original DA attracted more than 20 submissions to council earlier this year, with many citing issues such as safety, noise, littering, traffic movement, light spill, loss of amenity, fumes and proximity to water courses.
And, yesterday evening, a number of locals converged on the Murrurundi CWA hall to discuss the subject.
Hayden Kaney, whose property is directly adjacent to the proposed development, said there were a lot of people worried about the impact the service station would have on the town.
“More residents are slowly finding out about it,” he told the Advocate.
“But, some – particularly those in Bernard Street – hadn’t caught a whiff of it until recently.
“Even at the last public meeting, I think we had about five hours to get the form in to speak, due to a long weekend.
“I don’t feel as though we’re getting the full consideration.
“We’re also concerned about the effect on existing businesses and private residences, the heritage value of Murrurundi and environmental problems.
“I guess we’re trying hard to raise awareness prior to the council meeting on Monday as the majority of residents are still unaware of proceedings.”
Mr Kaney said most of the development “made no sense”.
“The whole style of it is too much,” he explained.
“We want to encourage people to stop, and stay, in town – not just pop in for a quick bite and get out.
“Council seems to think it [the proposal] will help with tourism trade but I don’t understand how.
“Plus, 60m of Bernard Street would have to be re-engineered and rebuilt.
“And, the clear impact from heavy vehicles [on it] means laws and policies need to be addressed vigorously.
“At this stage, I don’t believe it meets the guidelines of the EPA (NSW Environmental Protection Authority] and National Heavy Vehicle Regulator.
“It appears the council recommendation is not based on enough information.
“That irks me the most.”
