Servo adds to squeeze

DEVELOPERS want to demolish half an inner-suburb block to make room for a major service station and “community centre” as the city’s fuel-stop density edges towards critical mass.

A budget motel, bar, restaurant and two residential homes will all be knocked down if the proposal goes ahead – to be replaced by a petrol station, drive-through fast-food outlet and a new childcare centre.

It has been dubbed the Earlville Convenience and Community Centre and, if approved, it will become the seventh service station within less than 2km along Mulgrave Rd.

It will replace the long-established Cairns Southside International hotel and the neighbouring Southside Bar and Grill, as well as two houses at the corner of Ohara and Herries streets.

“The proposed built form is designed to allow for adequate separation between the service station, food and drink outlet and the childcare centre,” the application states.

The new service station will be directly beside the Silver Palms gated apartment complex and across the road from multiple houses.

The application states acoustic barriers will be built along the northeastern boundary of the site, along the edge of the outdoor play area, the western side of the fast-food outlet, and along the southern side of the service station loading bays.

However, the demolition and construction process will be noisy.

An economic needs-assessment carried out by consultancy firm Ethos Urban found a “high demand” for service stations on Mulgrave Rd – and another fast-food restaurant.

“It is noted that it is not unusual for petrol retailing operators to cluster and directly compete in areas where the locational characteristics are favourable such as main road exposure,” it stated.

The document also found the 108place childcare centre was needed.

“A range of economic benefits are likely to arise from the proposed development, including meeting the expectations of consumers, serving the needs of the local community, increasing choice, creating local employment opportunities, and attracting investment to the local area,” it concluded.

The project is impact-assessable, meaning that the public will eventually get a chance to make submissions for or against it.

An ASIC search of the developer, Onefin Earlville, shows its two directors are based in Sydney and Brisbane.