Station decision deferred

The City of Albany council has stalled in its decision on granting a development application for a $2.4 million petrol station and lunch bar on Albany’s most dangerous intersection.

The application for the development on the Albany Highway and Chester Pass Road roundabout was moved by Councillors Nicolette Mulcahy and Robert Sutton before the decision was deferred to continue negotiations between proponent Procon Developments, the City, and Main Roads.

Conjecture over driveway access to the proposed service station remains, with Procon arguing the need for two driveways, while Main Roads emphasises the need for only single access to the site, with concerns over safety.

Cr Mulcahy said the proposed station was an allowable use.

“We aren’t in a position to say no,” she said.

“If we declined and went to SAT (the State Administrative Tribunal), it would be at a cost to the City as we don’t have grounds to refuse.”

Cr Sutton, who seconded the motion to approve the application, said the location for a petrol station was not ideal but it should be granted.

“We can’t refuse,” he said.

“Personally, I think it is a terrible spot for a service station but it’s not our call.”

Cr Ray Hammond raised concerns over safety at the site before Cr Paul Terry put forward a motion for any decision to be deferred until the new year, which was later amended until the next council meeting on December 13.

The motion was passed 7-5.

A service station is likely to attract 226 vehicles a day, including 34 in peak hour, according to the developer.