New $7.2m service station has big plans for Katherine

Also, due to a lack of “available accommodation” in town, a Tindal contractor wants to build a workers’ hostel in the town.

These are among the planning applications lodged with the NT Government in the past month.

Puma Energy wants to build a service station in a prime location at the corner of the Stuart Highway and Bicentennial Road, near the cultural centre.

Puma bought the two hectare vacant site in 2016 but has altered its development proposal.

Plans for the service station including a cafe with seating for 28 people.

There will be six toilets, a truckers lounge area with seating, laundry and showers.

Puma’s original development proposal wanted three long vehicle parking bays but the new proposal calls for five 53m long bays and an extra four bays for road trains.

“The addition of a rest stop with dining area and shower facilities along the Stuart Highway in Katherine will contribute positively to road safety in the Northern Territory and will help drives manage fatigue,” planning documents state.

“The service station will also provide for the needs of local Katherine residents, as well as other travellers along the Stuart Highway.”

The closing date for submissions on the proposal is Wednesday, July 19.

The second application for a workers’ hostel was for NT Energy in Fourth Street, at the back of the Beagle Motel.

NT Energy has won some of the half billion dollar upgrade work at the Tindal RAAF Base.

Planning consultants Moonbeam Design said NT Energy “needs somewhere to house” their workers. It was not stated how many workers are proposed to be housed.

The proposal is for three demountables to be located on the vacant block for five years.

“MY client envisages that in five years the block will be developed into something which more suits its location and zone,” the consultants said.

“Although this development is not what you would see usually in a CBD, it is not on any main thoroughfares and is to have a time limit places on its existence.

“By keeping people in the CBD at a reasonable cost, local business will benefit from their patronage,” the consultants said.

Again, the closing date for submissions is July 19.