Belrose, Pringle Ave: Push for discount service station put on hold after Northern Beaches Council recommendation

A push to set up a discount servo — and save drivers on the northern beaches a few bucks — has been put on hold as authorities seek more info from its proponents.

The Speedway service station on Babbage Rd, Roseville. The independent petrol chain wants to open an outlet on Pringle Ave, Belrose. Picture: Jim O’Rourke

Cash-strapped Sydney motorists are set to be disappointed as they hunt for fuel savings, after a push to set up a discount petrol outlet was put on hold.

Speedway, a popular independent service station chain, wants to set up an operation in Belrose, but the Northern Beaches Council recommended to planning authorities that its proposal be knocked back.

Before the Northern Beaches Local Planning Panel had a chance to decide the fate of the proposed servo, at the intersection of Pringle and Ralston avenues, Speedway Pty Ltd withdrew the application.

Speedway, which has more than 40 outlets across NSW and Victoria, had applied in May to reinstate four petrol dispensers and two underground fuel tanks at the site, which currently operates as the Belrose Service Centre mechanic.

The centre sold petrol up until 2013, when the bowsers and fuel tanks were decommissioned.

An artist's impression of the proposed Speedway service station in Pringle Ave, Belrose.

Speedway also sought to modify the existing development by adding an automatic car washing facility at the site, where vehicles can currently be washed only by hand.

But the council advised the planning panel — which became the consent authority after more than 10 submissions were made against the application — to reject the service station bid.

The Belrose Service Centre, at the corner of Pringle and Ralston avenues. Picture: Supplied

In its assessment report, the council stated that the extent of the proposed work “was not substantially the same as that originally consented to”.

The council advised that if Speedway wanted to operate a service station, it would have to lodge a separate development application.

The location of the proposed Speedway service station in Pringle Ave, Belrose.

“A modification application is not an appropriate pathway for the works that are sought under this application, but rather a new development application is required,” the report stated.

The site is about 100m from Belrose Public School.

Locals concerned about petrol odours, air quality, noise and increased traffic made 11 submissions to the council.

In his submission to the council, local Jon O’Loughlin argued that the “community does not require the addition of four new pumps to the surrounding residential areas, as there is no increase in housing density or residences”.

Speedway Pty Ltd wants to set up four petrol pumps on the site. Picture: Supplied

John Cao wrote that the proposed service station “increases the risk of accidents and incidents for the residents as well as the children from the school zone”.

Dr Cao also submitted there were already two service stations within a 1km radius, and five others within 5km.

In its report, the council said Speedway had “not provided sufficient information to assess whether the traffic, water management and air quality and odour impacts can be mitigated to an appropriate level”.

“As such, there is insufficient information to determine that the site is suitable for the development,” it said.

Speedway Pty Ltd has been contacted for comment.