Servo proposal runs out of fuel

Servo proposal runs out of fuel

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A service station proposal for the corner of Church Street and Albany Highway was rejected. Photograph - Matt Devlin.

Armadale councillors voted against an officer recommendation to allow a south bound petrol station on the corner of Albany Highway and Church Street in Kelmscott on Monday night.

City officers recommended councillors endorse a modification to town planning scheme number four to allow the construction of a petrol station on lot 200 Church Street at the ordinary council meeting.

In their report to councillors officers said car based uses like a service station was ‘appropriate in this location’.

However the proposal was controversial amongst residents who were worried about increased traffic and the destruction of trees.

At the February 16 development services committee meeting councillors changed the officer recommendation to restrict a petrol station development.

At the Monday meeting councillor Mark Geary moved to amend the recommendation back to allow a petrol station because it fitted with the rest of the commercial development on the highway.

He said traffic issues would lessen with people no longer having to cross the northbound lanes on Albany Highway to get petrol. Councillor Ruth Butterfield opposed Mr Geary’s amendment and said without further traffic infrastructure in the area a petrol station would be inappropriate.

The amendment failed and the recommendation to restrict petrol station developments was passed seven votes to one.