Mum Edwina Roberts takes on United Petroleum to save family’s beach shack

THE owners of a Gold Coast beach shack are headed for a courtroom showdown with a fuel giant over plans to build a petrol station next door.

Edwina and Shaun Roberts with their sons Finn, 10, and Ryan, 8, face a David and Goliath battle against United Petroleum. Picture: Nigel Hallett

THE owners of a Gold Coast beach shack are headed for a courtroom showdown with a fuel giant over plans to build a petrol station next door.

United Petroleum has lodged an appeal in the Planning and Environment Court over a council decision to reject plans for a service station on the Gold Coast Highway at Mermaid Beach.

Standing in their way is the council and Edwina Roberts, whose family has owned the shack for more than 50 years.

There are already five petrol stations within a 2.5km radius of the Roberts family home in Mermaid Beach. Picture: Nigel Hallett

The block has laid dormant since a bakery closed in the 1960s, but is now classified as “medium density residential”.

United applied for a change of use for the site, but council rejected the bid last year.

It is one of a growing number of applications by petrol companies on the Gold Coast to build servos next to residential properties.

Mrs Roberts has been named as a co-respondent in United’s appeal, which is set for a five-day hearing in Brisbane starting June 12.

Channelling The Castle’s Darryl Kerrigan, she said she would not back down in the face of a large corporation.

“It’s the vibe of the thing, but it’s more than that,” she said. “They have deep pockets and I am just a housewife. The petrol fumes and the health issues, it just makes me sick.”

There are five petrol stations within a 2.5km radius of the property – and 15 within 5km.

A spokeswoman for United said the company “looked forward” to having a service station at Mermaid Beach.

Originally published as Mum Edwina Roberts takes on United Petroleum to save family’s beach shack