Plans lodged for 24/7 service station on Cooma Road

A DEVELOPMENT application has been lodged seeking to construct a highway service centre on Cooma Road.

The proposed service station would be located at 42–48 Cooma Road on a parcel of land that extends back to Peele Street.

Documents lodged through the NSW Planning Portal show that the proponent, Pearl Energy, is seeking for the highway service centre to operate 24 hours a day.

Pearl Energy operates service stations across NSW, Queensland, Victoria and South Australia.

NSW forms the largest part of the operations with 98 locations, including Gunnedah, Wee Waa, Tamworth and Quirindi.

“Consent is sought for the demolition of existing structures and trees, the relocation of one of the existing dwellings slightly to the north to be used as a manager’s residence, and the construction of a highway service centre containing a service station, cafe/restaurant, truck driver’s lounge, public toilets, showers and laundry, separate light and heavy vehicle fuel dispensing areas (FDAs), parking for cars, caravans, and trucks, loading facilities, signage, and associated works,” the statement of environmental effects by Wilson Planning, on behalf of Pearl Investments, says.

The site of the proposed highway service centre on Cooma Road. Image source: Google Maps

“The proposal will have positive social impact in that it will introduce an enhanced essential service for local people and highway users and provide activation and passive surveillance of Cooma Road.”

The proposed development would also create short-term construction jobs and long-term employment opportunities at the service centre.

“The development is not expected to result in adverse impacts on the natural or built environment, subject to the implementation of appropriate mitigation and management measures,” the plans state.

“There are no significant physical, ecological, technological, or social constraints identified that would prevent the proposed development.”

The site would include a convenience store building, 24 car parking spaces and 16 large truck parking spaces.Vehicle access to the site would take place through a separated entry and exit off Cooma Road.

The proposed development is on public exhibition through the NSW Planning Portal until 10 August.

Pearl Energy has been contacted for comment.