20 July 2017

Parking, traffic concerns dog new Weston service station proposal

| Ian Bushnell
Join the conversation
12

Concerns about parking and traffic flows have cast a shadow over the proposed new service station in Weston.

Despite playing a key role in lobbying for the badly needed new service station, the Weston Creek Community Council says it is unable to support the current Development Application in its present form.

In its submission to the public consultation, the Council expressed concern at there being two fast food outlets on the site instead of the one in the original proposal and that the Traffic Impact Assessment was nearly three years old.

“This change raises several questions related to both the increased traffic flow in and out of the site and in relation to parking, the required number of car parking spaces and traffic flow within and outside the site,’’ it said.

“In recent years Weston Creek residents have experienced the consequences of poor traffic flows and management relating to the only district service station in Brierley Street. Residents do not wish to experience similar issues with this new facility in Kirkpatrick Street.’’

The current proposal includes plans for a Caltex service station and shop, and the two food outlets – McDonald’s and Oporto.

The submission said that the Traffic Assessment was dated, given the considerable population changes in the ongoing developments in Wright/Coombs and Denman Prospect.

It was no longer relevant regarding the number of parking spaces required because of the change in the size of the proposal.

“ A traffic flow for 90 parked vehicles would likely have a major impact on traffic flows within the site and more importantly through the Cotter Road intersection,’’ it said.

“Further there is no analysis of expected changes to traffic flows in the future as more development occurs in Molonglo.”

The Park and Ride facility now in operation near the Defence facility also needed to be taken into account.

The Environment, Planning and Sustainable Development Directorate said there had been 10 responses to the DA during the public consultation period, which ended on July 4.

It said the DA was still being assessed.

Current work on the site was approved under the estate development plan and includes earthworks, two verge crossings, and upgrades to Kirkpatrick Street.

Do you think the proposal is too big and will cause traffic problems?

Join the conversation

12
All Comments
  • All Comments
  • Website Comments
LatestOldest

Spiral said :

bigred said :

Spiral said :

tim_c said :

In that location, it’s far more sheltered, and not directly across from the homes of people who bought places on the top of a hill so they could enjoy the views of something other than a servo.

Swings and roundabouts. They gain the Servo and Maccas but lose the noisy RSPCA.

But the RSPCA is now staying

Not according to the renamed LDA last Thursday.

But then again they could be wrong.

Was it the LDA responsible for wrecking the Coombs and Denman Prospect shops so no-one wants to buy into the supermarkets?

Latest I have is: http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/rspca-approved-to-stay-at-weston-as-move-unviable-20160629-gpuwws.html

bigred said :

Spiral said :

tim_c said :

In that location, it’s far more sheltered, and not directly across from the homes of people who bought places on the top of a hill so they could enjoy the views of something other than a servo.

Swings and roundabouts. They gain the Servo and Maccas but lose the noisy RSPCA.

But the RSPCA is now staying

Not according to the renamed LDA last Thursday.

But then again they could be wrong.

Was it the LDA responsible for wrecking the Coombs and Denman Prospect shops so no-one wants to buy into the supermarkets?

Spiral said :

tim_c said :

In that location, it’s far more sheltered, and not directly across from the homes of people who bought places on the top of a hill so they could enjoy the views of something other than a servo.

Swings and roundabouts. They gain the Servo and Maccas but lose the noisy RSPCA.

They are also getting an Oporto!

Spiral said :

tim_c said :

In that location, it’s far more sheltered, and not directly across from the homes of people who bought places on the top of a hill so they could enjoy the views of something other than a servo.

Swings and roundabouts. They gain the Servo and Maccas but lose the noisy RSPCA.

But the RSPCA is now staying

tim_c said :

In that location, it’s far more sheltered, and not directly across from the homes of people who bought places on the top of a hill so they could enjoy the views of something other than a servo.

Swings and roundabouts. They gain the Servo and Maccas but lose the noisy RSPCA.

bigred said :

…I understand there is also some disquiet amongst the folk from the North Weston development about the visual blight being installed….

I’ve often thought about that – I know I’d be pretty annoyed if I’d bought a place up there on the hill, only to find out someone was going to plonk a smelly, ugly service station just across the road. I’ve also often wondered why that site was chosen anyway – who wants to refuel their car on the top of a hill in the freezing cold winds coming straight off the snow on the Brindabellas??? Why not put it at the bottom of the hill opposite Streeton Dr (they’ve already wrecked the Streeton Dr/Cotter Rd intersection anyway – they should have just widened the Cotter Rd lanes and there was no need to ruin the alignment of Streeton Dr). In that location, it’s far more sheltered, and not directly across from the homes of people who bought places on the top of a hill so they could enjoy the views of something other than a servo.

JC said :

2902 said :

Caltex are shutting down the Kambah site on O’Halloran circuit next week so I would think you are on the money BigRed regarding the existing site in Weston being shut down once the new site is completed

Unless things have changed Weston Creek servo was a privately owned not a company owned site. Plus doubt that one would close anyway. Weston Creek needs more than 1 servo.

I used to work Barry Morris 30 years ago when he owned the franchise for Mobil Times and Mobil Cinema in Braddon. At the time he owned the Weston Creek site as a private but ran it if I recall as a BP, he also owned Pink Pump at Fyshwick and a few hotels. He has since become a property developer.

Thank you for reminding me that I left one further point out of my earlier post on this topic. My bad! The other reason for my view is that the existing site is indeed privately owned private investors will be seeking the greatest economic return on their investment. The Weston Creek shopping/business area is to be redeveloped sooner or later and my crystal ball says the service station site will be rehabilitated and turned into a monolithic (landmark?) residential building.

2902 said :

Caltex are shutting down the Kambah site on O’Halloran circuit next week so I would think you are on the money BigRed regarding the existing site in Weston being shut down once the new site is completed

Oh and think you will find the O’halloran Caltex is also a privatly owned site not a Caltex owned site. Most Caltex owned sites were sold to Woolworths a few years back. So most non Woolworths Caltex sites are not company owned.

2902 said :

Caltex are shutting down the Kambah site on O’Halloran circuit next week so I would think you are on the money BigRed regarding the existing site in Weston being shut down once the new site is completed

Unless things have changed Weston Creek servo was a privately owned not a company owned site. Plus doubt that one would close anyway. Weston Creek needs more than 1 servo.

I used to work Barry Morris 30 years ago when he owned the franchise for Mobil Times and Mobil Cinema in Braddon. At the time he owned the Weston Creek site as a private but ran it if I recall as a BP, he also owned Pink Pump at Fyshwick and a few hotels. He has since become a property developer.

Caltex are shutting down the Kambah site on O’Halloran circuit next week so I would think you are on the money BigRed regarding the existing site in Weston being shut down once the new site is completed

If the current Caltex closes down then good riddance. It is a terrible service station.

The most frustrating thing about it is how long it takes for the fuel to start flowing. That combined with the horrible tilt cars often have when parked beside the bowsers make it my least favourite place to fill up.

Unfortunately this development will proceed and the good folk of Weston Creek will have their new service station. There will probably be some interesting and not predicted traffic catastrophes once it opens such as long queues to exit and enter Cotter Road.

Logic of business rationalisation tells me the current Caltex site at Weston Creek will close soon after the new site opens meaning the net gain from all the fuss is the advocates of a new service station will have a longer drive to get their fuel, and the good folk of Weston Creek will have two new fast food outlets. I understand there is also some disquiet amongst the folk from the North Weston development about the visual blight being installed.

Something that has been overlooked in the conversation is the management of litter and other spills from the site which is situated immediately above the lower Molonglo river park. I know proponents of such developments always claim to be model citizens, but why do we need a Clean Up Australia Day?

Daily Digest

Want the best Canberra news delivered daily? Every day we package the most popular Riotact stories and send them straight to your inbox. Sign-up now for trusted local news that will never be behind a paywall.

By submitting your email address you are agreeing to Region Group's terms and conditions and privacy policy.