Corio servo, car wash plans knocked back following residents’ objections

Geelong council’s planning committee has defied its own officers to block a controversial 24-hour service station after fierce opposition from local residents.

Corio ward councillor Anthony Aitken and Viva Energy chief executive Scott Wyatt. Picture: Supplied

Geelong council’s planning committee has again ignored the advice of its own officers, this time rejecting a 24-hour service station and car wash that was met with fierce resistance from local residents.

The six-member committee met on Thursday evening, hearing from both proponents and opponents of Viva Energy’s plans for the region’s first OTR outlet at 42-46 Cox Rd, Corio.

Some of the 40 residents who formally objected during a two-week public consultation period earlier this year addressed the committee, highlighting concerns that included the negative impact of more traffic in the area, additional noise, and the loss of neighbourhood character.

An assessment, however, by council’s planning department recommended a permit be granted.

The proposed site.

Only committee chair Andrew Katos and mayor Stretch Kontelj backed the recommendation, with Corio ward councillor Anthony Aitken, Melissa Cadwell, Ron Nelson and Emma Sinclair voting against it.

Mr Kontelj said during the debate that if the committee refused the application, there was a “high likelihood” the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal would approve it should Viva pursue that option.

“I don’t believe there is a material change in the amenity of the area as a result of this development,” Mr Kontelj said.

“It will predominantly serve local residents, I can’t imagine people travelling to this location as a destination.”

Mr Aitken suggested Viva look at other sites nearby, including the former Norlane High School, while Ms Cadwell said the site should instead be home to affordable housing.

Mr Aitken said the impact of the proposal was “too severe” in what he described as a well-established residential area, including a “clearly unacceptable” uplift in traffic.

“Normally I’m actually quite supportive of investment in the northern suburbs … but there’s 40 residents who have objected to this proposal, so it isn’t just a minority,” he said.

Mr Aitken introduced a successful alternative motion that formalised opposition to the development.

“I wouldn’t, certainly as a councillor, feel comfortable living in a street where I’m trying to exit my residential property and I’m blocked by a semi-trailer or a small petrol tanker that’s taking up both sides of the road,” he said.

“We had some of the objectors talk about is it the best use of the land site. No, it’s not.”

A render of the OTR outlet.

Viva finalised its $1.2bn purchase of the OTR Group in March 2024.

A spokesman said the company was disappointed by the committee’s decision.

“The council’s decision will now be reviewed before any decision is made about the future of the application or the site,” he said.

The committee ignored the advice of council officers in July when it voted against expanded plans for a Barwon Heads property, and in May it did so again to approve a Hamilton Group project at 550 Latrobe Blvd in Newtown.

The latter is now before VCAT after developer Wayne Jennings launched proceedings against the ruling.

Mr Jennings’ Glengarry Developments has a permit for 57 apartments and 17 townhouses at 510 and 510A Latrobe Blvd.

EARLIER: Servo showdown looms for council vote

The long-running battle for a 24-hour service station and car wash to be built on a busy northern suburbs road is set to come to a head as Geelong council’s planning committee prepares to rule on the application.

Originally expected to open this year, ground has not been broken at 42-46 Cox Rd in Corio due to opponents of the OTR project proposed by Viva Energy raising several concerns.

They include the impact on businesses and local residents, particularly those on Nevada Ave, and a range of environmental issues.

“I do not want the extra pollution and fumes in the area, and the health risks and environmental impact are a major concern for me,” Corio resident Anita Robinson wrote in her objection.

Council launched a second public consultation phase earlier this year that incorporated some changes to the original plans.

The site sits on the corner of Cox Rd and Nevada Ave in Corio.

If approved by City Hall, it would be the first OTR – previously known as On the Run – outlet in the region.

On The Run was founded in South Australia by the Shahin family.

The company was purchased by ASX-listed Viva Energy for more than $1bn in a deal finalised in March last year.

Viva maintains the outlet would positively contribute to the area by activating a site that had been poorly maintained over many years.

The outlet would act not only as a service station, but a convenience store offering a range of everyday items.

While the vast majority of the site is vacant, a house at 42 Cox Rd would be demolished as part of the project should it proceed.

It would become the first OTR in the region.

The planning committee, chaired by Andrew Katos, will hear submissions and rule on the matter next Thursday.

Council’s most recent planning committee meeting, held in July, saw its members knock back an application for a third level to be added to an existing building permit for 2A Talbot St and 4-8 Paringa Lane in Barwon Heads.

That decision came after fierce opposition from a group of local residents.

Originally published as Corio servo, car wash plans knocked back following residents’ objections