BP proposal after Bunnings booted

By Helen Tatchell

Two new service stations could become bookends at Maddingley and Bacchus Marsh with proposed planning permit applications submitted to Moorabool Shire Council.
The first planning permit application is on the Bacchus Marsh/Geelong road, south of the Woolpack road intersection, and is a proposal for ‘Development and Use of a Service Station and Convenience Restaurant, Display of Signage and Creation of Access to a Road Zone Category 1’, at an estimated cost of $927,000. The site was previously used for stock grazing.
The second planning permit application is on Gisborne road (west side), near the Western Freeway on/off ramps and is the same site that saw a now denied permit application for a Bunnings Warehouse. This application is a proposal for ‘Development and Use of a Service Station, Convenience Restaurants, Display of Signage, Three Lot Subdivision and Creation of Access to a Road Zone Category 1’. Plans show a proposed BP fuel station and a Wild Bean Café for the site at an estimated cost of $7.5 million.
A Council spokesperson told the Moorabool News, “the Gisborne road proposal is for one service station with a convenience food offering attached. Plus, two other convenience food offerings. The site is proposed to be subdivided into three lots to separate the three different buildings.”
As with all applications before the Council Planning department, referrals are sent to governing bodies that include water authorities, VicRoads etc for approval or a refusal.
On 9 April 2019, CFA Ballarat, EPA – Geelong attention: (South West Region), Melbourne Water, VicRoads Ballarat and Western Water all ‘consented’ to the application for Maddingley.
The Application Status for the Maddingley proposal is ‘More Information’, which Council require before it will be advertised allowing objections or support letters to be received.
The application for the Gisborne road business is currently advertised and now allows for objections and support letters to be received by Council from the public.
As yet, both applications are not before Council (only with the Planning department), following the planning process, and councillors will not comment as it may be perceived as a ‘pre-determined position’, prior to a report from the Planning department coming to a future Council meeting.