New servo slated for Smithfield on McGregor Rd

Time is running out to have your say on a proposal to build a new service station in Smithfield.

An application has been lodged with Cairns Regional Council to build a new servo on McGregor Rd in Smithfield.

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TIME is running out for residents to have their say on a proposal to build a new service station at Smithfield.

The new servo on the corner of McGregor Rd and the Captain Cook Hwy will “not diminish the amenity of any adjoining residential area … and responds to the character of the area”, according to the development application lodged with Cairns Regional Council. The impact assessable project means developer Heavey Lex is required to invite public submissions, which close on July 12.

Sign out front of vacant lot on the McGregor Rd roundabout in Smithfield for a proposed new server station. PICTURE: STEWART MCLEAN

“(The service station and illuminated advertising device) has been assessed against the assessment benchmarks of CairnsPlan 2016 and is considered to demonstrate substantial compliance with the relevant conditions,” the application says.

“The proposed development is appropriately located and represents a logical location for a service station.”

According to the developer the proposed servo stacks up environmentally and no “adverse impacts” are expected on surrounding land.

Access to the service station will be from an unnamed road opposite the Campus Shopping Village on McGregor Rd.

Not satisfied with information contained in the original development application, made in March, the council asked the developer to provide a Traffic Impact Assessment Report.

An estimate of additional traffic the project is expected to generate and changes in relation to the Smithfield bypass project were requested.

The developer hired engineering consultant SMEC to author a report based on Department of Transport and Main Roads traffic data.

“A signalised or roundabout concept is not preferred due to the close proximity of the un named road (and) McGregor Rd intersection,” the recommendation reads.

“Due to the residential housing north of McGregor Rd, there may be a need to install pedestrian crossing points for safe access to the Smithfield service station.”

To have a say visit the “building and planning” section of the council’s website.

Originally published as New servo slated for Smithfield on McGregor Rd