Longford residents are continuing to reject the planned and approved construction of a new 24-hour truck refuelling station in the town, arguing that the development is inappropriate and unsafe.
The group of 350 locals say the development has been given the green light by the state government and council without proper consideration of the impact on residents and the town’s historic character.
Jacqui Lambie Network MP Andrew Jenner has thrown his support behind the community group, describing the location on Tannery Road as “completely inappropriate”.
“There is only one planned entrance and exit and the road is just not wide enough for those massive trucks. It’s not safe,” he claimed.
“If construction on the fuel station goes ahead without any major work done on the road it won’t be ‘if’ there’s an accident it will be ‘when’.”
A development application for the project was initially rejected, only to be later approved on appeal after the Department of State Growth gave consent for a new vehicle crossing, addressing the council’s traffic concerns.
In August, Mayor of the Northern Midlands Council Mary Knowles said the council had ‘no choice’ but to consent to the issuance of a permit.
“The property is zoned general business and Tannery Road is a state highway controlled by the Department of State Growth,” she said.
However, Transport Minister Eric Abetz believes the decision on the future of the project lies with the council.
“A development application was sought and granted,” he said.
“It will ultimately be determined on the floor of the house, but at the end of the day, I think this is a matter for the Northern Midlands Council to sort out with a proponent and with the residents.”
