Minyip resident and Yarriambiack councillor Corinne Heintze said BP Advance had sold Hopetoun, Murtoa and Minyip fuel outlets to Lowes Petroleum.

“With the changing of hands comes any new Environment Protection Authority rulings, which have changed since the last time the business swapped hands,” she said. .

“The new ruling means that no fuel pumps can be on the street because if there is a spill, it can get into drains.

“Both Hopetoun and Murtoa fuel outlets are on corner blocks with drive-through access and the pumps are off the street.

“However, the outlet in Main Street, Minyip, isn’t big enough to install a drive-through self service because B-doubles wouldn’t fit.

“It’s also in a residential area.”

Cr Heintze said Lowes and the Minyip community were now looking for another site for the fuel outlet. 

She said residents hoped the outlet could remain at the existing site at least until the end of harvest.

“We have approached BP to see if we can have a stay on the current site, which is meant to close at the end November,” she said.

“Hopefully it can remain open through harvest – we need it available for harvest.

“We are still waiting on confirmation.”

Cr Heintze said a Graincorp site that was just off the main road would be suitable.

”Lowes Petroleum is keen to install card operated diesel and petrol fuel pods, but we are still working out the logistics, permits and infrastructure that will be needed,” she said.

“This will take some months.

“Hopefully plans and costings will be available for us to negotiate on by the second week of November.”

Cr Heintze said all parties were being positive and co-operative.

”I am confident we can keep it open,” she said.

Cr Tom Hamilton said it was in the best interest of the community to keep the fuel outlet open.

“It you can keep it open, it will be very well received by everyone,” he said.

“It will be a brilliant short-term result.”