Loopholes bid to thwart fuel station plan

Protest group Puma2Go is urging the Busselton City Council to exploit any legal “loopholes” that could prevent developers going ahead with plans for a Puma petrol station in Dunsborough’s town centre.

The comments were made at this week’s public access session and come ahead of next week’s vote on Cr Kelly Hick’s motion that could block the sale of diesel, if the site were to be permitted by the Supreme Court.

The proposal was knocked back several times by planning authorities but because of — now rectified — definitions in the City of Busselton’s planning scheme, could be permitted as a “convenience store with fuel”.

“The developers and Puma were able to exploit a loophole,” Puma2Go’s Greg Milner said.

“While we don’t suggest the council capriciously take action to delay the development ... we do believe it is beholden on the City to exploit any loophole, given the City’s longstanding opposition to this development.”

There were provisions for fuel in the previous scheme definition, but no mention of diesel.

Trish Flower, of the group, also urged councillors to explore the prohibition of petrol “in light of all the work the City is doing with regard to Dunsborough’s CBD redevelopment, which is fantastic”.

“I think it would be really a shame at this stage if at this stage, every stone wasn’t turned,” she said.