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'There's no turning back': Inside tiny SA town's five-year battle with servo empire

From ABC Australia · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Outcome reported
  • Residents in Heathfield, South Australia, have lost a five-year campaign to prevent a new OTR service station from being built in their small town.
  • The company, Peregrine Corporation, won a court case for approval, despite the local council and 190 community submissions opposing the development.
  • Locals express concerns that the service station will disrupt the town's quiet character and rural charm, fearing irreversible changes.

Adelaide Hills residents have lost a protracted five-year battle to stop a new OTR service station from being built in their small town of Heathfield. The development, backed by Peregrine Corporation, part of one of South Australia's largest companies, received court approval after the local Adelaide Hills Council had initially rejected it. The council's decision was based on 190 community submissions, the highest in its history, with only 12 supporting the proposal.

An OTR just doesn't fit the character of the area, and people are very conscious of that.

— Justin Gare, local resident and campaign leaderGare explains the core reason behind the community's opposition to the proposed service station, highlighting its incompatibility with the area's established character.

Local resident Justin Gare, who spearheaded the campaign, stated that an OTR "just doesn't fit the character of the area." He highlighted that Heathfield, with a population of about 1,000 and minimal existing trade, is valued for its quiet charm and absence of commercial properties. Gare pointed out that several petrol stations already exist in nearby commercial centers like Stirling and Crafers, questioning the need for another in a residential area.

Small business owner Kelly Jacobs echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the desire to keep Heathfield "authentic and quaint." She warned that once development progresses too far, "there's no turning back and this once beautiful space is ruined forever." Jacobs suggested that such developments should be confined to established commercial zones, not semi-rural roads surrounded by homes.

That's the reason why we live here, because of the absence of commercial properties.

— Justin Gare, local resident and campaign leaderGare elaborates on the appeal of Heathfield for its residents, emphasizing the value placed on its non-commercial, rural atmosphere.

The Environment, Resources and Development (ERD) Court's ruling noted that Peregrine purchased the site, a former mechanic's workshop, in 2021 and submitted plans in 2022. The council's assessment panel had deemed the plans "seriously at variance" with the residential zoning due to extended hours, potential noise and light pollution, visual impact, and increased crash risk. The court also acknowledged the zoning encouraged small-scale developments.

We just don't want it.

— Justin Gare, local resident and campaign leaderGare succinctly states the community's strong desire to prevent the service station from being built in their town.

Adelaide Hills Council Mayor Nathan Daniell expressed deep disappointment with the ruling, stating the community values its natural and peaceful landscape. While not opposed to development, he believes this type of project is unsuited for the area. The council is currently assessing its legal options. A spokesperson for Viva Energy, which operates OTR, acknowledged differing community views and stated the development underwent extensive assessment, aiming to integrate OTR's services respectfully while meeting all requirements.

Once it's too far developed, there's no turning back and this once beautiful space is ruined forever.

— Kelly Jacobs, small business ownerJacobs expresses concern about the irreversible impact of development on the town's aesthetic and environment.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Australia. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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