Petrol station development in Aberdeen Street

COUNCIL has recommended either a proposed rezoning of land in Aberdeen Street, or an additional permit of use, to support the development of a petrol station.

The proposal is on public display until December 22, after which time the Council will vote on the proposal and if successful will then be referred to the consent authority the NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment for approval.

Nearby residents are concerned about the suitability and impacts of a petrol station in the location.

The proposed 2.43 hectare development on 61-79 Aberdeen Street, by the Steven’s Group, will include:

• a petrol station;
• free-standing restaurant/takeaway food premises;
• an outdoor rest area incorporating a playground, public amenities, 31 car and 8 recreational vehicle parking spaces;
• dog off-leash area;
• free-standing restaurant/takeaway food premises with double drive-thru lanes and 31 car park spaces, and
• a car park with 34 spaces.

The previously proposed motel is no longer part of the development.

Zoning:

The land is currently zoned RU4 primary production small lots, which prohibits the development of a petrol station on the land.

Council has recommended either zoning the land to B2 local centre or B4 mixed use or their preferred option of propose the “use of the land as an additional permit use”.

Council’s report notes that the proposed development is not in accordance with the strategy approved by the Secretary of the Department of Planning and Environment, but describes the approach of making an additional consent of minor significance.

Council’s proposed planning proposal report.

New entrance to development:

There was another location assessed by the Steven’s Group for their development on the highway north of the bypass, however it was believed the St Aubins exit would be more convenient than a location on the highway.

However, the flood mitigation study commissioned by the Steven’s Group recommended St Aubins Street should not be used as the vehicle access point and new designs have access in Aberdeen Street. See: Civil Plans.

Flood zone mitigation:

The modelling commissioned by the Steven’s Group predicts an impact of the development on housing of 20mm, but predicts it will be offest by the bypass channeling water away by -270mm, resulting in a net decrease of 250mm.

The St Aubins street vehicle access to the site was identified as an issue for flooding and has been moved to Aberdeen Street.

Drainage on the site has been changed to increase flow towards the drainage points and there will be greater flood storage on the site.

The assessment also addresses resident’s flood insurance concerns by stating flood impacts may be increased on the western side of the bypass, “however the opposite is true…for properties on the eastern side of the bypass.”

Read the full flood impact assessment.

Impacts on developments, business and other towns:

After the Stevens Group initial proposal for Aberdeen Street was met with community concern, an alternative location on the highway north of Scone was under negotiation, however after further discussions with Council the Aberdeen Street location was again their preferred option. Council has stated in its report, it needs to develop a strategy for development at the northern and southern approaches to the bypass, but notes it has not yet completed this strategy. 

A peer review of the environmental impact assessment (EIA) has warned the proposed development in Aberdeen Street could impact businesses in the town centre of Scone, but notes estimating the impact is difficult. The review also notes the EIA lacks “measures that could ameliorate potential negative impacts and the impacts of the HSC on other highway service towns such as Aberdeen.”

However, Council affirms the EIA was amended to address these issues, although it does not state how this was achieved and asserts the development will now benefit businesses and nearby towns.

The proposal will be on display for 28 days, with submissions closing on December 22. The proposal can be found on Council’s website: Planning proposal 1/2018.

Related stories:

• New Petrol Station and Motel Proposed – March 1, 2018
• Established Businesses to be Bypassed – March 16, 2018
• Development Doubted – March 22, 2018
• Update: Aberdeen Street Service Station – June 3, 2020