Residents rail against Proposed 7 Eleven servo at former Mia Mia Hotel

A proposed 7 Eleven service station has enraged nearby residents with an archdeacon saying it will disrupt the ‘respectful peace’ needed for funerals and other solemn events.

A proposed 7 Eleven service station has nearby residents enraged, with a Mackay archdeacon saying funerals and other solemn events could be affected at the church across the road.

A Mackay archdeacon is among the residents campaigning against the proposed 7 Eleven service station on the corner of Nebo Rd and McGinn St.

Property Projects Australia submitted plans for what would be Mackay’s first 7 Eleven in December 2022 at the site of the former Mia Mia Motel.

Archdeacon Rosemary Dunn expressed her concern the planned 24 hour servo would distress solemn events at St Charles Anglican Church, which has been opposite the selected site for about 40 years.

“Funerals ought to be held in respectful peace, and I would be concerned about emissions, traffic and noise disturbing the grieving families,” Archdeacon Dunn said.

Archdeacon Rosemary Dunn is concerned funerals and other events at St Charles Anglican Church, directly opposite the proposed servo, would be affected by the 24 hour development. Photo: Contributed

“There are already 20 service stations on the Bruce Highway/Nebo Road, but there are few places for quiet reflection.

“I can see no justification for yet another petrol station here.”

Judy and Mark Nixon have been McGinn St residents for 28 years and were appalled by the proposal.

They started a petition in February that now has 429 signatures opposing the project, with 147 formal submissions lodged with Mackay Regional Council.

West Mackay residents Mark and Judy Nixon have lived on McGinn St for nearly 30 years and are devastated by the 7 Eleven servo proposed on the intersection with Nebo Rd. Photo: Contributed

In an open letter they addressed to Mayor Greg Williamson, Ms Nixon said the proposal had caused “extreme stress and anxiety”.

“I am extremely concerned about the impact the proposed service station will have on my health and the health of my family,” Ms Nixon said.

“Petroleum products contain traces of benzene, toluene and xylene (BTX) all of which are harmful toxic pollutants.

“Low level exposure can also cause skin and eye irritation, drowsiness, dizziness, headaches and vomiting, damage to the immune system and birth defects.”

Design plans submitted to Mackay Regional Council for the building of a new 7 Eleven service station along Nebo Rd on the Bruce Highway. Picture: Verve Building Design Co

They listed several factors for objection, including noise complaints over the 24/7 servo, emissions pollution, light pollution, traffic congestion, crime safety, and a lack of need considering the numerous other fuel stops along Nebo Rd.

“A similar development application for a service station on Nebo Road and Lagoon Street (DA-2022226) has attracted strong community objection with many known formal submissions,” Ms Nixon wrote.

“There have been a number of negative comments online about the increase in service stations along Nebo Road/Bruce Highway labelling Mackay a ‘service station mecca’.”

Former Road Accident Action Group co-ordinator and West Mackay resident Graeme Ransley helped the Lagoon St objection campaign and said he was shocked by the one on McGinn St.

“Having big trucks where the funeral hearses are … its just ludicrous,” Mr Ransley said, who has attended funerals and events at St Charles Anglican Church.

Design plans submitted to Mackay Regional Council for the building of a new 7 Eleven service station along Nebo Rd on the Bruce Highway. Picture: Verve Building Design Co

He said proposal plans indicated big transport trucks exiting the proposed servo would be directed onto McGinn St, which is not graded for heavy vehicles.

“I have grave misgivings regarding the whole DA (particularly that) it’s missed completely the importance of pedestrian safety.

“Particularly taking into account, for example, e-scooters … skateboards, bicycles … there is no mention whatsoever of the high number of mobility scooters.

“There’s a lot of elderly people in West Mackay (going) along to the supermarkets … who come down McGinn St.

“It’s a 60km/h road and traffic will be turning left very quickly across a very busy footpath.”

A diagram in the traffic report for the 7-Eleven service station in construction at Southside.

Mr Ransley also said the DA also did not consider the growth of Catherine McCauley College, whose students join that foot traffic every weekday.

Council’s Development Services director Aletta Nugent confirmed the DA for the corner of Nebo Road and McGinn Street is currently on public notification until April 27, 2023.

“Should any members of public wish to have their say on the development, a submission can be made to council via email or in writing,” Ms Nugent said.

“Following the public notification period, council will review the submissions received and consider these as part of the decision-making process.”

As for the Lagoon St service station, Ms Nugent said the applicant paused the assessment of the application for two weeks so they can provide additional information in response to issues raised by council and submitters as part of the assessment process.