Save the Gully Petition Sparks Debate in Yass Group With Locals and Locals Supporting Truckies.
On Feb 12, a user on Yass Notice Board posted a petition to stop the proposed 24 hour truck stop on the corner of Long Rail Gully Road, Barton Highway and Murrumbateman.
The poster reads, “save lives, save our local shops, save our precious Yass drinking water, save our natural scenery, save our local history.” This was followed by a QR code to sign.
The response was overwhelmingly against the poster with some poking fun at the “precious Yass drinking water” quote, seemingly ignorant of the reocurring water crisis in Yass. Some even urged Yass Valley Council to do the opposite and approve it faster. Some posted tongue in cheek responses like “save lives? We trading a person per bowser?”
Some of the more serious responses discussed the prospect of jobs in the Shire and whether or not it would affect local businesses. One comment said, “it’s not going to affect the town. It will actually mean more jobs and less congestion during peak times. Locals will still use the servo in town and buy groceries. It just gives options. So many times I have gone to pull in to get fuel coming back from Canberra and the line up to get in is out to the main road.”
The original poster responded, “have the current owners been offered to move the gas station across to new centre or will it be the case of big new one kills off the old station?”
Not all responses opposed it, however, with some people supporting the petition. One person argued, “why would truck stop be built with a McDonalds in the middle of a wine region? Stupidest thing I’ve ever heard. What is your genuine reason for wanting one? Creation of 5 or 10 jobs, ruining a beautiful wine region, destruction of habitat?” They argued this is non-existent in other wine regions where “Councils know how to recognise and grow tourism- which is a big employer.”
Some people supported development, but thought a truck stop wasn’t the right idea, with someone saying, “they should be building a market place type shopping village. That would then offer multiple business and employment opportunities and maybe some more choices for restaurants like Thai, Chinese, Indian etc.”
Even the truck drivers contributed to the discussion with a driver saying, “In and around Canberra there is minimal options for truck drivers to stop, rest and shower. Not many service centres offer parking ability for big trucks and clean amenities for the drivers. So if executed correctly it would be a huge boost to the local community but also long haul drivers.”
It was this common sense comment which humanised our truck drivers which garnered plenty of support.
-Jack Murray
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