A group of residents in West Mackay are imploring Council to dismiss a recent planning submission that, if granted, will see the construction of another 24-hour service station in a residential area.
At this particular location, which is near to a school and two churches, there are already 20 service stations within a seven-kilometre radius and two others within three blocks of the proposed site.
A development application is currently being assessed by Mackay Regional Council for the 7- Eleven service station to be built on the site of the Mia Mia Hotel, on the corner of Nebo Road and McGinn Street in West Mackay.
In order for the development to go ahead on the site, it would need to be rezoned from its current ‘medium residential’ zoning.
Judy Nixon, who has lived on McGinn Street for the past 28 years, says that a busy service station would have a significant impact on the health and wellbeing of her family and other long-term residents in the area.
“The thought of a service station going in beside my family home is devastating,” she said.
“There is a total lack of need for another service station. There are 20 service stations currently established or under construction within 7kms of the proposed site.
“Officers from Mackay Regional Council have even admitted that that there is an oversupply and that the development application goes against the Mackay Region Planning Scheme.”
Ms Nixon is concerned the neighbourhood will be significantly impacted by noise, harmful emissions, light pollution and increased traffic.
She also states that the impacts to her home, which is directly behind the development site, have not been evaluated as part of the application.
“My home has not been identified as a ‘sensitive receptor’ for noise in the applicants Noise Impact Assessment Report,” she said.
“The developer has also failed to include an Air Quality Impact Assessment in their application.
Residents deserve to know how the fumes and emissions from the proposed service station will impact their health.”
Sharing her views is the Archdeacon Rosemary Dunn of the Mackay Anglican Community who said that another service station in this area would be “superfluous”.
The proposed station site is adjacent to St Charles Anglican Church and there are two local churches nearby.
Ms Dunn believes the sanctitude of the area needs protecting.
“There are already 20 service stations on the Bruce Highway/Nebo Road, but there are few places for quiet reflection,” she said.
“I can see no justification for yet another petrol station here.”
Public consultation for this project is open until April 27 and Ms Nixon implores other residents who are concerned about the development to make their opinion known to Council before it is too late.
Submissions can be made by emailing development.services@mackay.qld.gov.au.
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