The green light has been given to a revised development application for a manned service station near the George Street roundabout in Millicent.
The Lower Limestone Coast Regional Assessment Panel met in the Wattle Range Council chambers in Millicent on Thursday afternoon and endorsed a planning staff recommendation to grant conditional approval.
A Crystal Brook fuel company obtained development approval three years ago for an unmanned service station on ex-railway land adjoining Apex Park.
This approval stands but a fresh application was necessary due to the proposed creation of a convenience store with certain parking requirements.
The staff-recommended conditions included landscaping.
The revised application attracted three responses from the public.
The only respondent who has asked to be heard was John Drew who has lived in Millicent since 1980.
He has been a Wattle Range Councillor for the past 12 years but was acting in a private capacity.
Back in 2022, Mr Drew had addressed the panel and opposed the erection of a service station at the site.
Mr Drew has given qualified support to the latest development.
He is concerned about the impact of the manned service station on the visual amenity of the area and entry to the township as well as the increased traffic generation.
However, Mr Drew said he appreciated there would be improved fuel competition in the Millicent market and additional employment opportunities
Mr Drew pointed out the fuel price in Mount Gambier that morning was $170.9 cents per litre while the equivalent fuel in Millicent was $184.9.
“There should be a 1.5m high hedge on the western side to create a sufficient visual break,” Mr Drew said.
Consultant Phil Harnett represented the fuel company at the panel hearing and said Mr Drew’s opinions had been taken on board.
He said the new service station would provide competition in the market as well as convenience.
Mr Harnett said the landscaping plans included a number of trees near Cattle Bridge Road which would grow to a height of 10 metres.
After 20 minutes, all four panel members then voted to approve the revised application and its 31 conditions.
Independent panel member Ian Von Stanke chaired the meeting in the absence of presiding member Mark Teale.
