Servo moves a step closer

A new service station proposed on Albany’s most dangerous intersection is another step closer after a development application was approved at a City of Albany committee meeting last week.

Subject to several conditions, the City’s development and infrastructure services committee voted 9-2 in favour of the $2.4 million proposal on the Chester Pass Road roundabout, at the former car sales yard that has been vacant for more than a decade.

The service station still requires final approval by councillors at next week’s ordinary meeting before any development can go ahead.

According to the the applicant, the proposed development is likely to attract 1084 vehicles a day.

Councillors Paul Terry and Carolyn Dowling voted against the proposal, raising concerns about traffic management.

But Cr Bill Hollingworth said the council’s hands were effectively tied.

“Traffic management is not in our jurisdiction,” he said.

“They can do what they want.

“We don’t have jurisdiction over this one in terms of traffic.”

The proposal was first considered at the November council meeting but deferred for further discussion between the applicant, Main Roads and the City of Albany.

According to the recommendation before the committee, Main Roads objected to the proposal because of concerns about safety and efficiency of the road network.

If the proposal is adopted by the council there will be 19 fuel stations in the Albany area.