,Proposed petrol station a traffic headache

There are concerns a proposed new service station at Albany’s most dangerous intersection will cause an increase in accidents at an already identified crash hotspot.

A development application for a service station on a site adjacent to Albany Highway and the Chester Pass roundabout has been lodged with the City of Albany, but will not require council approval as the use is permitted under the Local Planning Scheme.

The Albany Highway site has remained vacant for more than a decade and is the former site of car dealership Albany Autos.

The application for the proposed service station, understood to be a Shell Express brand under Viva Energy Australia, is being assessed by City of Albany council officers to ensure it meets the relevant provisions under the planning scheme. Currently there are five service stations within 1.3km, including a new 24-hour Puma Energy Australia service station, which recently opened on Albany Highway in Mt Melville.

Main Roads Great Southern regional manager Andrew Duffield said there were concerns about an increase in the volume of traffic at the roundabout and Main Roads had opposed a green light for the development.

“It’s a high-volume road with a high crash rate which is public knowledge, mainly rear-end crashes,” he said.

“We are concerned that any business like this that goes in will add more conflict points.

“We have reflected these concerns that we believe it is not good for the site. We have asked them how they are going to manage the traffic flow and they are certainly aware of our concerns.”

The South Coast Highway-Albany Highway intersection, which includes the Chester Pass roundabout, has continually been voted as one of the riskiest intersections in the State in the RAC Risky Roads survey.

The five-way roundabout has experienced close to 250 crashes in the past five years, and as of 2014, 18 had resulted in injuries requiring hospitalisation.

In 2014, the survey respondents suggested that traffic lights be installed, but this was rejected by Main Roads in favour of the ring road to divert heavy haulage and reduce the volume of traffic.

A Viva Energy Australia spokeswoman said the company was continuing to work with the council and the site’s developer to achieve development application approval for the proposed new service station.

McKails General Store owner Don Perfrement, who operates independently under the Mobil fuels brand, said he feared for fellow independent retailers if a sixth fuel outlet in a 1.3km radius on Albany Highway and North Road proceeded.

“We took a real hit margin-wise when Puma opened, they were selling below what we were buying,” he said.

“I welcome competition generally, but at some point there has to be some regulation.”