A SERVICE station war may break out in Millicent following planning applications submitted by two new competitors.
Lodged this month, both Perrys and OTR have submitted planning applications with Wattle Range Council to build new service stations in Millicent.
The applications were lodged two days apart from one another.
In 2015 OTR purchased the site of a former BP service station at the intersections of Mount Gambier and Wyrie roads, known as ‘Billy Goat Corner’, and the OTR development application relates to that currently unused site.
The publicly available information from OTR’s planning notification is scant outlining only that the company is looking for planning approval to build a retail fuel outlet with a 9m high freestanding pylon sign.
However, The Border Watch understands the proposal includes a fast food outlet.
OTR is also the owners of the food outlet ‘Subway’ in Millicent’s George Street.
Perrys has lodged its application for a fuel outlet on a vacant block of land at the corner of Adelaide and Cattle Bridge roads, near the recently closed Caltex service station and adjoining Apex Park.
This proposed site, owned by the State Government, has been listed for sale for some time.
The Perrys proposal includes the provision of underground fuel storage tanks, a canopy over the proposed refuelling area with a height of 6.8m, a price-board to advertise the fuel available and on-site car parking.
Wattle Range Council is the owner of the recently closed service station on Adelaide Road, commonly referred to as the Mount Burr Road service station.
A lease to Caltex expired in October and was not renewed.
Council agreed to extend the lease by one month to allow remediation of the site to be completed by Caltex, now known as Ampol.
Elected members voted to enter into negotiations with K&S Fuels last year with a view to selling the property for an undisclosed amount to the company.
Council’s chief executive Ben Gower said the sale was expected to be finalised before the end of the year and he expected the service station to be operational in the New Year but timing was a matter for K&S.
K&S currently operates the 24 hour Caltex service station at the intersection of Williams and Mount Gambier roads and is the supplier of fuel at the Pines card only unstaffed facility on the eastern outskirts of Millicent on Mount Gambier Road, also branded Caltex.
These two outlets are currently the only suppliers of fuel in Millicent.
Perrys operate two sites in Mount Gambier – one card only and the other staffed.
OTR also has two sites in Mount Gambier – both staffed.
When approached by The Border Watch, Perrys declined to comment.
OTR was also approached for comment but had not done so by publication deadline.
