The long wait for drivers filling up with fuel in Weston Creek looks set to be reduced, with a second service station for the area approved.
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The ACT government recently signed off on plans to build a Caltex service station on Kirkpatrick Street in Weston but several conditions were attached to the approval.
The development will also include a McDonald's and an Oporto on site, which will be subdivided as part of the approval conditions.
Drivers in Weston Creek have for years been calling for a second service station in the area, with residents forced to rely on a single petrol station at Cooleman Court where they are often subjected to long queues or even fuel running out.
Weston Creek Community Council chair Tom Anderson has welcomed the approval.
"We've been long overdue for a second service station in the Weston Creek and Molonglo areas. Almost anytime you go to the servo here the queue's all the way up the street," he said.
"We first started a petition back in 2012, so it's been a long time coming."
It's not yet known when construction will begin on the 112,000 square metre site, although Mr Anderson said he would like to see work begin after Easter.
"I would assume they have to wait for the block to be subdivided before any work can be undertaken," he said.
Among the conditions laid out in the approval, a proposed 12 metre McDonald's sign outside the service station will be scrapped, and will be merged with a shorter combined Caltex and Oporto sign.
The sign will not be illuminated as it would negatively impact the nearby Mount Stromlo Observatory.
"Developments within a five kilometre radius of the observatory are required to protect the night sky from light pollution to aid in the ongoing operations of the observatory," the DA approval said.
"The proposed illuminated pylon signage did not demonstrate that it would comply with this requirement."
The DA approval also said the proposed site's traffic management plan was "not considered adequate" and would pose a risk to pedestrians in the area.
A new traffic management plan would be put in place as the previous parking and building placements were considered "convoluted".
Despite the development having 66 car spaces, short of the required 80, additional spaces won't have to be constructed, as the fast-food outlet was considered to be mainly drive-through.
The Weston Creek site was purchased for almost $6 million by a Sydney-based company in November 2015 and construction costs for the service station are estimated to be $2.3 million.
