Scott Sawyer, 09 February 2016
YOU’RE fresh out of excuses if you run out of fuel in Mudjimba in the future.
A 24-hour, seven-day-a-week service station has been given Sunshine Coast Council approval at 693-695 David Low Way, next to the Mudjimba Multisports Complex site, less than 500m away from an existing service station.
It was deemed a code-assessable development, meaning there was no requirement for public notification under current planning regulations and was given approval on January 29.
The development was not anticipated to have a major impact on traffic on David Low Way.
Nicole Carty doesn’t hold the same confidence.
Nicole and her mother, Annie, have lived next door to the service station site for the past decade and she said news the approval had been given for a service station to be built next door had come as a complete shock.
“It’s not really acceptable that no one has known about it,” Nicole said.
“It’s (Mudjimba) not a big town. There’s already a servo here.”
She said it would be a shame if the long-term, local service station lost business as a result and also expressed concerns over how the traffic would be managed.
“It will be different with a service station right next door to us, including bright lights, noises, crime,” she said, noting service stations were often targeted by criminals, a concern if they were to be future neighbours.
The approval given for the site means the developers will have four years to construct a service station on the site, with earthworks to begin within the first two years.
As part of the approval given, the council imposed a number of conditions including a three-metre high acoustic barrier, the use of solar power, reducing graffiti opportunities and restrictions on advertising placements.
It’s far from enough to satisfy Annie, who said she could not believe the decision and the fact it progressed without required notifications.
“I’m angry,” she said.
“This has been my home for 10 years.
“I’m very angry. Where’s the consultation? Where’s the notification?
“I’m gob smacked and disgusted.”
Meanwhile another proposed David Low Way service station near Surfrider Pl and Coolibah St, a project of Surfing World owner and Coast developer Mal Pratt, was given a list of State Government conditions applicable if the council was to give it a green light.
Extracted in full from the Sunshine Coast Daily.
