A PROPOSAL to build a new service station and car wash in Glossop has sparked debate amongst the local community, as Berri Barmera Council seeks public feedback on the development application.
The application proposes the replacement of the former petrol station on Anderson Terrace – next to the Glossop Motel – with a new Caltex station, which is set to include car and truck wash stations and a dog wash.
Yvette Stoodley, who owns the property next door to the site, organised a meeting last Wednesday with other Glossop residents who have concerns about the redevelopment.
“There’s no way we want to have a truck and car wash, dog wash and fuel pumps right next door to our bedrooms,” Ms Stoodley said.
“For it to work it is going to be so noisy… plus there will be more trucks and cars coming in.
“They’re not going to have any consideration for the people that live there or the motel’s clients.
“It’s going to depreciate the value of our properties immediately, and it’s also going to do more damage to our road infrastructure.”
Shell Get and Go Glossop director Huss Khan, who has put forth the development application, said concerns about noise were unfounded.
“Obviously, with the EPA there are certain guidelines that we have to follow,” he said.
“Our plans have been given the green light from the EPA, so there will be sound proofing on all the walls and everything is above board.
“They are worried about music being played loudly as well, but there are strict rules with that and people have to turn their cars and their radios off.
“A lot of the things that were said at the meeting that have found their way back to me were nonsense.
“The EPA is very strict – you have to follow their guidelines or you’ll be shut down.
“We’re not investing that much money into a town and a car wash just for it to be shut down.”
Mr Khan said the new business would provide more jobs in the town and would fill a currently empty building.
“With Glossop turning 100, if we can introduce a car wash into the town it will improve the town and make that site look better as well,” he said.
“It will also bring more jobs and money to the community – an absolute minimum of five new jobs and likely more.
“Bringing in new jobs and helping the community, that’s probably the best part about it all.”
However, Ms Stoodley said the car wash should be built further away from residences or on the current Shell site.
“Who wants all this in a quiet town?” she said.
“We moved to the area because it was nice and quiet and, yes, there was a fuel station next door but it closed at 8pm every evening.
“We’ve already got a build-up of traffic, and this will create more.”
Mr Khan said traffic would continue to travel through Glossop, regardless of whether the new station is built.
“There’s a lot of traffic because of Berri Estates and all the road trains who have to come through here because they can’t go through Renmark because of the Paringa Bridge,” he said.
“By us opening there, we’re not bringing trucks from the highway and telling them they have to come through Glossop.
“We’ve had plenty of residents who have said they are all for it.
“The more new things the Riverland gets, the better it is for everybody – that’s the way I see it.”
Berri Barmera Council is currently accepting feedback on the application, which is available to view at the council office in Berri from Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm.
Feedback must be submitted in writing and reach the chief executive officer by this Friday, February 19.