By ERWIN CHLANDA (Updated – see below.)
The town council says it will reply this afternoon to allegations from United Petroleum which claims that the council has “scuttled” plans to build three new service stations.
United Petroleum CEO David Szymczak says the company, which is operating the Heavitree Gap service station (photo at top), has received government development permission for the Beaurepaires Site (Cnr. Stuart Highway and Schwarz Crescent ), the old drive-in site on the South Stuart Highway and the Scrap Yard Block (Cnr. Stuart Highway and Sergeant Street).
“The development has stalled due to the unreasonable behaviour of Alice Springs Town Council. Over the last few weeks the Chief Minister’s office have tried to intervene to convince the council to give final approval to one of their own conditions (which has been satisfied) – but has been unsuccessful,” says Mr Szymczak.
“United Petroleum will redirect its capital spend to Queensland and Victoria. Locked out of the Alice Springs market three times in a row by the Alice Springs Town Council is peculiar.”
UPDATE 4:10pm
Town Council Director Technical Services Scott Allen has made the following statement:–
“43 Stuart Highway (Beaurepaires Site): Below is Council’s resolution from the Development Committee Meeting on 2 and 3 October 2017 in relation to the proposed United Petroleum development at 43 Stuart Highway.
“That Council does not support the Schwartz Crescent proposal for exit or entry of any traffic in relation to the proposed development.”
“194 Stuart Highway (Former Territory Wreckers Site): Council is reviewing the documentation for this development.
“To my knowledge, at no stage has Council been approached to comment on the old drive-in site as this property is privately owned and the road infrastructure is the responsibility of the NTG.
“Council welcomes further discussions with United Petroleum and is open to continued dialogue regarding their developments in Alice Springs.”
Tuesday, April 23, 2024
The freedom of the press still furnishes that check upon government which no constitution has ever been able to provide – Chicago Tribune.
So apparently you can enter and exit the Beaurepaires and Hungry Jacks sites to buy tyres for your car and a burger, but not to buy fuel. That makes sense.
Once again the third tier of Government uses its power to curtail much needed local development.
Just a question, but can council block these developments? I thought development consent came from Darwin.
Maybe the fuel company haven’t asked for public moneys?
What a load of rubbish from the immature Alice Springs Town Council. As Hal correctly says they do not have the power to block the developments only to make a recommendation or objection. The full consent is with the appropriate Minister who can override such objections. Pull your heads in council, and let the town develop at the right pace.
Interesting that the Drive In site is considered “… privately owned and the road infrastructure is the responsibility of the NTG”.
The other two properties are both on the same Stuart Highway with road responsibility NTG and I assume are privately owned. The only difference can be proposals for entry or exit off of council controlled side roads. Perhaps a change to accessing the side roads gets rid of that issue.
I also understand that council are only respondents to development consent but do have councillors sitting on the authority.
Anyone who uses the Schwartz Cres / North Stuart Highway intersection on a regular basis would agree entirely with the council decision, for this site.
It is a serious problem already. The traffic in and out of Beaurepaires would be a fraction of what one would expect for a servo.
Much needed local development? Crap. There are already two servos within a 100m of the site.
Sounds more like a much wanted property sale to me, Doug.
If this town is to prosper we will need infrastructure, and free enterprise.