Service station jobs are set to flow

THREE new service stations proposed for Townsville will generate up to 60 jobs.

Fuel wholesaler Liberty Oil has started work on a Charters Towers Rd site in Hermit Park which will also include a convenience store.

Other sites are planned in Idalia and Thuringowa. “We are very serious about investing in Townsville,” a Liberty spokesman said. “Hopefully this is the start of many other organisations doing the same thing.”

He said each site would employ between 15 and 20 people.

FUEL wholesaler Liberty Oil is making a $15 million splurge on Townsville as it looks to open three new retail outlets creating up to 60 jobs.

Work has started on a Charters Towers Rd site at Hermit Park where used car and caravan sales yards previously traded. Other sites are planned in Idalia and Thuringowa.

A Liberty Oil spokesman said the company had pinpointed Townsville as a city in which they wanted to invest.

“We are currently a supplier only of product (into the Townsville market). This is going to be an equity interest,” the spokesman said.

“We are very serious about investing in Townsville. We believe the town needs a bit of confidence. Hopefully this is the start of many other organisations doing the same thing.”

He said Liberty would build one of its flagship convenience stores and petrol stations at the Hermit Park site.

“The total investment will be in excess of $5 million when you include the land. It’s a healthy investment. It will bring about the need to employ 15 to 20 people when in operation,” the spokesman said.

He said similar investments and jobs would be made at its two other sites which were hoped to be opened over the next 18 months.

He said they had purchased land for the sites and believed the retail outlets would boost competition.

“It’s another brand in the marketplace. Invariably it will add more competition in the marketplace,” he said.

Liberty Oil, one of the longest-standing and largest wholesalers operating in Australia, is part-owned by another big fuel supplier, Viva Energy Australia Pty Ltd.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission is investigating plans at present by Viva to acquire the remaining 50 per cent interest in Liberty Oil Holdings Pty Ltd.

As a part of the transaction, the assets of Liberty’s retail business will be transferred to a new company and Viva will hold a 50 per cent interest in the new retail company.

The ACCC investigation is focused on the impact on competition, and particularly whether the acquisition will lead to higher retail prices or increased prices to wholesale customers.

Earlier this year, Coles Express and Viva extended a petrol partnership out to 2029.

The ACCC is due to report on its investigation shortly.