A massive truck stop proposed for a site next to about 3.5 kilometres from Rutherglen has outraged grape growers, wildlife protection advocates and business people. / (min cost $ 0 ) or signup to continue reading Opponents to the project fear run-off from the service station will contaminate nearby waterways threatening platypus and water rat populations, while vineyards say the pollution could poison their crops.
A Rutherglen service station owner said if the project goes ahead, "It will kill us - and other businesses here." Approval is being sought for the roadhouse to operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, include a convenience store, truck wash and parking space for 17 light vehicles and three heavy vehicles. The site, in an agricultural zone on the corner of Federation Way and the Murray Valley Highway, is owned by TFB Wine Investments and BE Judd Holdings.
Gerald Judd is co-owner of just south of the site. In the application submitted to Indigo Shire Council by the owners, the $3.6 million development would have four double-sided light vehicle fuel bowsers and two double-sided heavy vehicle bowsers, and parking for heavy and light trucks.
Michael Chambers, has lodged a submission of objection with the council. "We're a tourism community and over half the winemakers here in Rutherglen irrigate out of Sunday Creek - we do not need that to be polluted," he said. "Pollution is just going to run straight into Sunday Creek, everyone here is very worried about the environm.
