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Service stations for freeway

WA motorists will soon be able to stop and refuel on the Kwinana Freeway with plans for two freeway service stations in Baldivis set to be approved by a joint panel today.

BP Australia has applied to develop two 24-hour service stations on either side of the Kwinana Freeway between Safety Bay and Mundijong roads.

The application will be heard by the South-West Joint Development Assessment Panel - administered through the Department of Planning - when it meets today.

The panel of planning experts and councillors from the City of Rockingham, is expected to endorse the development after the city's planners gave the project their approval late last year.

The $35 million project proposes two virtually identical service stations which will cater for northbound and southbound traffic.

According to plans, each service station will be accompanied by a BP convenience store and Wild Bean Cafe and include truck driver facilities such as showers and a lounge.

Each will have 128 parking bays with provision for 40 extra bays if needed. There will also be space for up to three retail tenancies per site with the potential to employ about 30 staff, in addition to the 15 service station staff.

City of Rockingham mayor Barry Sammels said the proposal was broadly backed by the council.

"Ever since the Kwinana Freeway was extended, we've been calling out for a station," he said.

"I think it will be a real asset, not only to local motorists but to all WA motorists and also tourists.

"Particularly on the long trips, people need a place to refuel, rest up and refresh themselves - I think the centres will help improve road safety."

Mr Sammels said the proposal for a service station or roadhouse had gone to council 24 times since 2001. It had been rejected four times - twice by the council and twice by then planning minister Alannah MacTiernan.

Planning Minister John Day gave it the green light, approving a local town planning scheme amendment to rezone the designated land in Baldivis as Special Use-Freeway Service Centre in April 2011.

A spokesman for BP Australia said once approved, construction would take about 12 months.