Revealed: First look at proposed new highway service centre at Maclean
The long-rumoured Maclean service centre will take its first steps towards fruition at Clarence Valley Council meeting today. Take a look at the plans and what it will feature.
Grafton
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It has been long-rumoured, and even coveted, by many in the community and following the completion of the Pacific Highway upgrade plans have emerged for a 24-hour service centre near Maclean.
The new service centre, which was first submitted to council in September 2020, is proposed to be a 24-hour fuel shop with three restaurant tenancies with associated amenities with overall floor space in the order of 900 sqm.
The plans are part of a proposal to be discussed at Clarence Valley Council’s committee meetings on Tuesday. Councillors will decide whether to refer the planning proposal to the NSW Department of Planning Industry and Environment for Gateway determination.
According to the proposal it will provide at least 25 heavy vehicle parking spaces, four parking spaces for recreational vehicles and coaches, four electric vehicle charging spaces, a children’s play area, tourist information and suitable toilets free of obligation.
According to the submission before council, the site of highway service centres has been the subject of regional strategic planning since 1995. The proposed location for service centres on the future road was finalised in 1998, and the Maclean site on the southern side of the interchange was planned.
The proposed site sits on the flood plain on the Schwonberg Street site, and works would build the floor level of the centre to 0.5m above the 1 in 100 year flood level.
This would require 156,000 tonnes, or 7000 truck and dog loads of fill.
Access to the new site is to be by the spur road of the new interchange towards Goodwood Street on the southern side of the interchange.
The report submits there is a legitimate need for the Maclean Service Centre, with centres spaced along the Pacific Highway route, and also close to bypassed towns so economic benefits remain with those centres.
The nearest service centres on the new Pacific Highway are at Ballina and Halfway Creek.
The proposal will be considered at Tuesday’s Environment, Planning & Community Committee meeting.
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