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A new 24-hour self-service petrol station could open in Wellsford early next year.
Last month Gull lodged a resource consent application for an unmanned petrol station with three pump islands on vacant land on Rodney Street between the Four Square and Subway, which is currently used for parking.
Gull general manager Dave Bodger says they expect the resource consent won’t be publicly notified, as the station is a complying activity on land zoned for retail service.
Mr Bodger says if the consent is granted construction would start immediately and would be finished by early next year.
Gull retail development and sustainability manager Karl Mischewski says Gull purchased the site in December last year to fill a gap in its coverage on State Highway One between Auckland and Whangarei.
There was heated debate on the Wellsford Town Facebook page after a rumour surfaced that a truck stop would be built on the site.
People were concerned how traffic accessing the station would impact on pedestrian safety, as the site is on the main road on a popular route for pupils walking to Wellsford School and Rodney College. People were also concerned about the loss of parking in the town centre.
Wellsford Promotions chair Stephanie Railey says the loss of parking is a big concern.
“The carpark has been very well used. The owners of the land have been very generous allowing people to park on it, now Auckland Council need to step up and find an alternative. It’s only going to get worse in the future.”
However it appears Council may be about to make the situation worse. Council land at 3 Harrison Road in Wellsford, which is currently used for parking, has been approved for sale.
Mr Bodger says 95 per cent of the traffic using the station will be private vehicles, not trucks, and the petrol station won’t have a major impact on pedestrian safety.
“We’ve got to talk with NZTA as a part of the resource consent to make sure the station is safe. The main risk for pedestrians in Wellsford is from the traffic heading down the main street. One more commercial operator won’t make a difference.”
The Four Square has leased 12 car parks which will continue to operate after the petrol station has been built. Gull has 19 self service stations across the country.
There are two other petrol stations on Rodney Street, Mobil and Caltex.
