By Sonia Isaacs
A PROPOSED new service station at Beerburrum has divided the community, with residents raising concerns about its size, traffic, noise and impact on the town’s character, while others say it would provide a long-overdue local service.
The impact-assessable application proposes demolishing existing buildings at 14 Beerburrum Road, known as the Beerburrum Service Centre, to make way for a 180sqm service station with four fuel bowsers providing eight refuelling bays, nine car parks and two underground fuel tanks.
The 2377sqm site adjoins Glass House Mountains National Park and the public car park serving the Mount Beerburrum walking trail.
The application, lodged on behalf of Puneet Kalra and Vandna Kalra ATF PV Kalra Family Trust, is subject to impact assessment, with public submissions open until September 11.
Division 1 Councillor Jenny Broderick urged residents on both sides of the debate to formally have their say. “The service station that has been proposed for Beerburrum is now out for public consultation… which means now is the perfect opportunity to jump in and have your say, whether for or against,” she said.
Cr Broderick said community feedback had been mixed. “Some people would like it, but not like it so big, or want to make sure it blends in. Other people don’t want it at all,” she said.
Concerns raised publicly include potential 24-hour noise and lighting, increased vehicle movements and whether a service station of the proposed scale is compatible with Beerburrum’s village character.
Others have welcomed the proposal, arguing the growing community needs somewhere local to refuel and buy basic convenience items.
Beerburrum Hall president Patricia Jutila said there were “people for and against” the development and encouraged residents to make their views known.
She said Beerburrum had previously had a petrol station that “was a great service to the town” and believed a new service station with a small shop “may be a good thing”, particularly if it created local jobs for young people.
Supporting documents argue there is an economic and community need for the development, noting Beerburrum currently has no service station.
Cr Broderick said she would hold an information session at Beerburrum Hall before submissions close to give residents an opportunity to ask questions about the proposal.