THE Merredin Shire is supporting a proposal to alter its draft Town Planning Scheme to allow the development of a fuel station and depot on the Merredin-Narembeen Road.

Liberty Oil has been attempting to find land within the main street area of Merredin since August.

The company is now attempting to establish a 24 hour card operated fuel station, including accommodation quarters for staff and a fuel depot.

The council has been advised that the provisions of the shire town planning scheme number one, general farming zoning and development table, does not list a service station or fuel depot as a use within the zone, making it prohibited.

Within the proposed local planning scheme number three, the use is prohibited within the zone to be created.

The proposal includes two 55,000 litre above ground fuel storage tanks, one 51,450 litre diesel tank for the service station and one 9,000 litre unleaded fuel tanker to service the public, a caretakers dwelling and a shipping container with 20 litre oil drums.

Access will be from the Narembeen road.

Councillors were advised that there is no suitable land for development of a service station within the main approach or within Todd Street, Merredin. Councillors were split on motion that Liberty Oils be advised the council supports, in principle, the concept and that an application for an amendment to the town planning scheme number one be initiated by Liberty Oils.

The motion was carried six to four.

A further motion was carried seven votes to three for the council to seek planning advice as to how they can alter the draft town planning scheme number three to allow the development.

The reason put forward by council members to seek changes in the town planning scheme was to allow commercial and economic development to occur.

This would form a basis for ongoing negotiation with Liberty Oil for the establishment of a depot in Merredin.