New CBD petrol station in pipeline

MOTORISTS could have a fourth option to stop and gas up their cars on Bullion Boulevard in Richards Bay’s central business district.

Sivest Environmental Division on Wednesday released a proposal, indicating that Tobie Properties (Pty) Ltd has earmarked an open plot between the Boardwalk Inkwazi Shopping Centre and Guldengracht road for the new petrol filling station.

‘The service station building of approximately 328m² will include public toilets, a convenience store, offices and a take-away and bakery,’ said Sivest in its background information document (BID).

It is not yet known which fuel brand or restaurant franchise will sign up for the location.

A 70m² refuse and storage yard and a 500m² tyre fitment centre building will also be established on the grounds.

Sivest said the external area will accommodate a forecourt with a linked canopy, four double-sided pump islands, five 23 000-litre tanks and 32 parking bays.

So far stakeholders have responded to the projects with mixed reactions.

Some voiced concerns about traffic congestion on the already busy road and possible over trading of the number of filling stations in the CBD, negatively impacting the existing stations.

Others heartily welcome the development, saying it will be the only one on that side of the road.

Sivest will manage an environmental authorisation process and a basic assessment process will be conducted.

Specialist studies on engineering services, traffic impacts as well as a geotechnical and geohydrological investigation will be undertaken by Ilifa Africa Engineers, NDA Consulting Engineers and Davies Lynne and Partners respectively.