Yass Industrial Park Incorporated are proposing to develop a secondary Service Centre opposite the existing service centre at north Yass. 

The centre will include a petrol station, two fast food outlets and a motel to help accommodate the heavy traffic flow through the area now, and when the new Saleyards are erected.

Director of Planning and Environmental Services, Chris Berry said the proposal is not dissimilar to what is happening on the other side of the road. 

“The service centre that is up there at the moment can certainly be replicated on other land. There are players that aren’t being represented at that particular Service Centre, so there is no reason it can’t be considered on the opposite piece of land,” he said.  

Mr Berry explained that if there is another petrol station that wants to build on that land they are entitled to do so, on the condition the proponents meet the planning requirements.

“These  include traffic impacts; whether the road can accommodate the extra traffic that it will generate, road upgrades and the roundabout being able to handle the impact from the outlet,” Mr Berry continued.  

“The land use planning isn’t an issue, it’s only the technical requirements that we haven’t actually gone through at this time. Hazardous materials, such as petrol, require proper storage, whether it be above ground or below ground, this is another issue that needs to be dealt with.” 

Mr Berry said that with the addition of a secondary service centre at the edge of the Yass urban township will facilitate the needs of heavy vehicles and their drivers and diminish the need for them to travel through town.

“Heavy vehicles that pull in from the Hume Highway will have no reason to come into town, which will result in a reduction of heavy vehicles on the local roads,” he explained. 

“That has to be a benefit for the local community.” 

With the prospect of the development of more business in the Yass Valley, Mr Berry is confident it can only help stimulate the local economy. 

“Any new business is welcomed in Yass from an economic and development perspective, and because our economy is based on competition, it has to be seen as a healthy thing,” he said. 

“On the other hand, we have to make sure the traffic and environmental implications are all managed appropriately and they aren’t going to have an impact on neighbouring properties, so these are all challenges that we have to work through.”

Local residents will be able to comment on the DA which was recently lodged. 

“People will have a chance to express their concerns when it is put on public exhibition once the DA has been completed,” he continued.  

“Obviously they have to get all their ducks lined up and do their homework and this can take a bit of time. The DA will go through usual public exhibition time which could take the best part of two months. 

“In a major development such as this, it’s not the time frame but rather making sure that it follows the right process. With these developments people factor in that there could be some level of controversy with the public.”

The Yass Tribune will be following this story as it develops.