THE return of a petrol station could be a possibility for the Natimuk community.
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The town relies on Horsham as its closest source of fuel. There are no petrol stations for travellers between Horsham and Edenhope.
Horsham Rural City Council released an amended draft council plan for comment, which included three new four-year priorities. These priorities included providing input to VicRoads on the Western Highway, Hamilton Road and Golf Course Road intersection and respond to emerging risks through the strategic risk register and internal audit.
Council also looks to support an investigation into a service station at Natimuk.
Corporate services director Graeme Harrison said council hoped to play a supportive role in a community-led investigation.
“There was a letter received by council around a proposal for a community-based petrol station and the councillors were keen to be supportive of what was proposed,” he said.
It appears to be common to find small Wimmera towns without essential services. The petrol station in Minyip, the post office in Marnoo, the Commonwealth Bank in Kaniva, the Bank of Melbourne in Stawell and Ararat and the Brim pub are just some businesses to close in the past year.
Mr Harrison said petrol stations are convenient for small towns and its residents. He said the return of this service would be supported.
“Natimuk is a strong community and if they want to see the development happen then there’s a demand for the service,” he said.
Horsham mayor Pam Clarke said the Natimuk community has lived without a petrol station for many years.
She said small towns appear to be without these services, which is inconvenient for its residents.
“It’s a matter of economics. There probably wasn’t enough petrol being sold to sustain a business and that ends up being the economic realities for people who have a business like that,” she said.
Cr Clarke said a proposed petrol station was in its preliminary phase and an investigation could reveal options for a fuel outlet.
“Quite often towns don’t have to have a petrol station and instead container petrol bowsers, which do not require amenities and staff. People can pay with cards and drive away – they are options to explore,” she said.
Natimuk pub owner Bill Lovel said a petrol station would benefit the community. He said tourists have the expectation that Natimuk has fuel.
“We have people coming into the pub and they expect fuel to be here. They find themselves without petrol because they haven’t filled up in Horsham,” he said.