A new survey of residents in Dunsborough, Western Australia has found that 99.2 per cent of respondents object to a proposed 24-hour Puma petrol retail operation in the town centre.
The survey was carried out by the Dunsborough and Districts Progress Association (DDPA) ahead of a February 12 Supreme Court appeal over the site’s approval
The proposed site has been the focus of local objections over the past year, with community action group Puma2Go saying the development “flies in the face of road safety, public amenity, walkability and traffic flow” and pushing for its relocation to a different part of town.
DDPA Vice President Mark Webster says the survey, based on a sample of more than 10 per cent of residents in the area’s 6281 and 6282 postal districts, shows “almost unanimous opposition” to Puma’s plans.
“The community definitely thinks locating the petrol station/convenience store in the town’s light industrial area makes a lot more sense,” he said.
“Anyone driving by this area can see the dramatic growth underway. Currently there are no convenience stores serving that area and it allows much easier access for trailers and towed boats. Unless Puma moves quickly, another petrol retailer will move in and Puma and Dunsborough will be left with a six-bowser white elephant in the middle of Dunn Bay Road in the centre of Dunsborough.”
In August 2017, a State Administrative Tribunal decision allowed the development to proceed as a convenience store. A month later the state’s Joint Development Assessment Panel appealed that decision to the Supreme Court of WA. That appeal will be heard on February 12.
