Service Station Changes

By Des Dugan

Work is expected to start before Christmas on a new 24-hour service station at the northern end of Murrurundi.

Originally a service station but more recently home to a rural produce store and upholsterer; the site was put on the market more than 12 months ago.

The site was sold recently although the delay in an occupancy lease stalled the sale.

Last month the Upper Hunter Shire Council approved a development for a service station on the site.

The service station proposed by Kurrawa Pty Ltd in January, is without details on which petrol company will take over and what food outlets will accompany the new station.

Only the site plans were made available to the public.

Over the ensuing trial period no less than 26 submission were received on the development and on the night of voting Hayden Karney,

Fran Wachtel and Rodney Swansborough addressed the Council regarding the safety and noise aspects of the development.

Despite their disapproval, the application was passed by council with Murrurundi’s Councillor Joshua Brown voting against.

Most impacted on by the development is Haydon Karney who live alongside the services station facing the outgoing trucks.

The Council conceded a high fence would be needed to shield the house from headlights.

The northern development has no doubt impacted on the recently leased Shell service station on the southern end of the village.

That lease changed from Shell to BP causing major bowser replacement on the site.

Having only just been completed, the renovators have now moved in on the insides of the building ripping out the guts of the shop in what is obviously to be a major refit.

In a third development the Metro service station in the centre of the village received new “highly visible” electronic signage advertising prices.

However, the rest of the old station remained unfettered.