At a meeting on Monday night, Horsham Rural City Council approved a planning permit for a new fuel station at 52 Darlot Street.

However, council also rejected a planning permit for a new fuel station at the corner of Dimboola and Wawunna roads.

Fuel company On The Run applied to build both service stations, which would be open 24 hours a day.

Council rejected the proposed Dimboola Road service station on the grounds that it would have adverse effects on nearby residents and businesses.

Cr Mark Radford said the way the service station would be set up meant traffic had to enter via Dimboola Road and exit via Wawunna Road.

“We will be sending extra volumes of traffic, including heavy vehicles, down residential streets,” he said.

“The Ploughmans Motor Inn is next door to the service station, which is a well-established business and offers people a chance to get a good night’s sleep.

“I believe this 24-hour service station would damage the reputation of this motel.”

Mayor Pam Clarke said she sympathised with the motel owners.

“I would hate to see anyone lose because of a decision we’ve made,” she said.

“People invest their life savings into a business like that. It’s encouraging to see new businesses wanting to set up in town but I am concerned.”

However, Cr David Grimble said council should support the development, because any issues could be managed through strict conditions.

“This is a $2-million proposal that will inject economic development in the city,” he said.

“The motel is also on a federal highway, so they are already affected with trucks going past all night long.

“It is appropriate to have a fuel outlet on a highway.”

Crs Clarke, Radford and Cr Les Power voted against the planning permit, while Cr Grimble and Cr Josh Koenig voted for it. 

However, council unanimously supported On The Run’s second planning permit application for a fuel station in Darlot Street, Horsham.

Cr Grimble said the difference with the second application was that the site used to be a service station.

Cr Radford said it would be good to see the old service station site restored.

“However, this will highlight the issues we have with traffic in that area and it might trigger the need for council to sit down with VicRoads and have a good chat about what we can do,” he said.

“I can already hear the chatter in the community about the traffic issues.”