Hundreds take up the fight to save an almost century-old corner store

A small town northwest of Brisbane has rallied to save its historic corner store, which could be demolished to make way for a flashy new service station: SEE THE PLANS, WATCH THE VIDEO

For almost a century, the D’Aguilar corner store has stood proudly on the corner of Wood St and the D’Aguilar Hwy, but possibly not for much longer.

“The Dag’’ is not only the place locals gather for a coffee and catch up, it provides fuel, food and friendship — a place where “everybody knows your name”.

Residents now fear their de facto community hub could soon be a thing of the past after a developer revealed plans for a service station, shop and car wash.

CCD Developments lodged a development application on August 12 to replace the historic corner store, northwest of Brisbane.

A development application for a service station has been lodged for Wood St, D'Aguilar.

The company is registered to a Brisbane address. Daniel Cuda, Constantinos Vorkas and Christopher Zenonos are listed as directors.

CCD Developments did not respond to requests for comment by time of publication.

The 3843 sqm site includes the store, two fuel bowsers and a house.

According to the planning report the proposal “represents a modern upgrade of the existing site usage, including the provision of complementary retail tenancies”.

“The new building work has been designed to meet contemporary standards for access, parking and vehicle circulation,” the DA said.

The proposal included a service station with eight fuel bowsers and a 200 sqm shopfront, as well as a 120 sqm retail tenancy.

A car wash facility was also planned, with two wash bays and vacuum points at the rear of the site.

There will be 18 car parks.

A development application for a service station has been lodged for Wood St in D'Aguilar.

The site has been home to the corner store since 1928.

Residents said if the proposal was approved the store as they knew it would cease to exist.

Luisa Garcia and Robyn Creebolder decided to band together with their neighbours to kickstart a Save the Dag campaign.

What started as just three people has now grown to more than 670 members.

“It’s what’s left of the heritage at this level,” Mrs Creebolder said.

“This is like the gateway to what’s left of our rural streetscape.”

More than 600 people have joined a group to save the D’Aguilar corner store. Picture: Natalie Wynne.

Ms Garcia said the plans did not fit in with the country town.

“You can tell the developers didn’t take into account any of the rural character of the area,” she said.

“The pub and the store have stood together for a hundred years.

“You can see that the new shiny modern concrete and steel building really has nothing at all to do with the existing character of the town.”

Ms Garcia said their group did not understand why historic buildings were not preserved for the future.

“We don’t get why you have to knock down heritage for the sake of progress,” she said.

“You can keep your beautiful heritage buildings and incorporate them into designs.

“It adds tourism value and it just makes much more economic sense.”

Residents of D'Aguilar and neighbouring towns have joined forces to save their corner store. Picture: Natalie Wynne

The group is now planning to get together to write submissions.

“We want to make the best argument possible,” Ms Garcia said.

“We would really love … the council to see just how much the people of the community are against the demolition of this building.

“I think that that might sway them when it comes time to vote.

“There’s nothing to protect them because there is no heritage register in the Moreton Bay Regional Council — it has been closed for 10 years since the amalgamation of the councils.

“So at a local level we have no protection for our history.”

Councillor Tony Latter acknowledged on social media that the proposal “may raise some robust commentary”.

“Particularly due to the rich history this store has had in the community for close to 100 years,” he said.

“I wanted to give you as much information as I am legally allowed for you to have your own opinion.

“My aim at this stage is not to provide a personal opinion (due to legal constraints) but make sure this happens in the most transparent way which enables members of the community an opportunity to have their say.”