Ultra discount petrol, Manly: All-in-one servo with its own laundromat gets go-ahead

A plan for a Sydney servo that allows motorists to clean their clothes in its self-serve laundromat has gone before planning authorities. See what they decided.

A popular northern beaches discount service station has won planning approval to add a self-service laundromat to its premises. File picture: Russell Shakespeare

A popular northern beaches discount petrol station will soon be adding another sudsy service for its customers — a self-service laundromat.

Owners of the independent Ultra outlet in Manly have won planning approval to install a washing machines and clothes dryers.

The laundromat will be available until 11pm, seven days a week.

They were also looking at putting in an automatic drive-through car wash on the premises on Pittwater Rd, near the Harris Farm greengrocers.

But complaints from locals about noise, increased traffic and overshadowing neighbouring homes meant that planning officials rejected the original development application in February.

The Ultra service station in Pittwater Rd, Manly applied to provide a self-service laundromat near the ice storage freezer. Picture: Jim O’Rourke

After Ultra dropped the auto car wash from the DA, the Northern Beaches Local Planning last week approved the plans to add the laundromat and expand the sales area into the space now used by the mechanics’ workshop.

It had been referred to the independent panel, by Northern Beaches Council, because of the number of people objecting to the drive-through car wash.

The servo already has a do-it-yourself car wash and vacuum facility as well as a “Fast & Ezy” convenience store with hot food, barista coffee, firewood, fishing tackle and bait.

An artist's impression of a self-service laundromat facility to be installed at the Ultra service station on Pittwater Rd, Manly.

Locals told the council that the noise of the automatic car washing machine would be too loud and the faculty would be opened for too long.

As part of the modified DA, customers will see a prefabricated self-service laundromat, next to the ice freezer.

“A new fully self contained laundromat facility will be incorporated into the service station forecourt on the southeastern corner of the site adjacent the existing ice freezer.,” according to the State of Environmental Effects lodged with the revised DA.

An artist's impression of a changes to the Ultra service station on Pittwater Rd, Manly.

“Customers utilising the laundromat facility will park in the carparking spaces adjacent the southern boundary.”

There will also be a new bathroom for disabled people.

The washing machine and dryers will be available during the service station’s opening hour from 6am to 11pm Monday to Friday and from 7am to 11pm on weekends and public holidays.