Local LPG users won’t exactly be breathing a sigh of relief, but at least a serious schedule has been put forward for the building of a Woolworths Petrol outlet at the site of the recently closed Mobil service station.

Council has now given the go-ahead for the service station to be built and developers are now awaiting approval for the demolition and rehabilitation of the site.

“We’re pleased to have approval for the redevelopment of the site and we are looking forward to swift approval for the demolition of the old building so construction can begin,” a Woolworths spokesperson said.

“We’re now putting together a tender for construction, so taking into account the current development application we are aiming to open early next year.”

According to Wellington Council acting general manager Alan Dive, the second development application is not likely to take as long as the first due to its straightforward nature.

“The main development application has been approved by council,” Mr Dive said.

“The application to demolish and rehabilitate the site is proceeding and will not have to go to council for approval.”

This is little consolation for locals who run their car on liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).

Owners of vehicles that run on LPG have to make the drive to Dubbo to find the fuel.

LPG users have spent thousands to have their vehicles converted to the cheaper, cleaner fuel type and are dismayed to say the least at having to choose between making a trip out of town or running their car on alternative fuel types.

Brian Munro drives a Holden Commodore ute which his son spent approximately $2500 to convert to LPG and has run it solely on gas since he has owned it.

“I can only get the fuel from Dubbo so I now have to run it on petrol until I get over there for other reasons.

“I don’t go to Dubbo to buy groceries and prefer to shop locally so the only times I can get over there to fill up is when I need something I can’t get in Wellington.”

Mr Munro is disappointed that the deadline for re-opening the service station seems to be getting further and further away.

Apparently he was told before the Mobil closed that it would be a case of a six-week wait until the re-opening, and that was extended later to several months.

“Only 12 months ago we had two service stations that sold LPG and now we have none.

“There’s just nothing happening that I can see.”