A NEW service station, roadhouse and fast food outlet is being planned for the Western Highway west of Beaufort.
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The roadhouse development is slated for a site alongside the western freeway, 8km west of Beaufort and 10km east of Buangor, and will be located just west of the Western Highway and Eurambeem-Raglan Road interchange.
The plan, which has been submitted by urban planner Jake Koumoundouros from Docklands-based company Human Habitats, includes scope for petrol facilities for up to eight cars and four trucks, a service station convenience shop, two food and drink premises, one of 156sqm, the other of 74sqm with the larger of the two having access to a drive thru.
The 1700sqm by 870sqm site will also include a total of 58 parking spaces of which 41 will be for cars, three for caravans and 14 for trucks.
A communal dining area, children’s play centre and disabled access and landscaping are also part of the proposal.
In its submission to the shire, Human Habitats says “the growing number of vehicles using this stretch of the Western Highway has resulted in the need to provide an adequate rest and service facility to entice drivers on long distance journeys to take breaks”.
“This need will become further exacerbated once the Beaufort bypass is completed.
“With this in mind, we submit that the proposed development will deliver a positive outcome in response to the Pyrenees Planning Scheme.”
The Beaufort Bypass continues to be subject to hydrological, environmental and cultural heritage assessments.
Regional Roads Victoria Western Regional Director Mal Kersting confirmed no alignment had been decided for the bypass, but updates would be shared with the community.
“We’re continuing to work through a range of assessments which will assist us in identifying a preferred bypass alignment,” he said.
Pyrenees Shire manager planning and development, Katie Gleisner said anyone who may be affected by the proposed use is entitled to submit a written objection to council, stating the reasons for objection.
“All objections will be considered in council’s further assessment of the application,” she said.
“The timeframe for council’s decision on this matter will depend on the number and complexities of objections, and whether an amendment is required to be made.”
Residents have until January 14 to submit a response to the plans, which can be viewed at the shire’s website.
