Welcome Oasis for Northbound Motorists

News Release
20 June 2002

Welcome Oasis for Northbound Motorists

BP has been granted approval to build a $9 million motorway service centre at Dairy Flat near Silverdale in the Rodney District.

Today (Thursday, 20 June) the Auckland Regional Council and Rodney District Council approved the project which will provide a range of services for motorists heading north out of Auckland.

Facilities will include a 24 hour BP Connect 10–lane service station, 130 car parks, a café/family restaurant, restrooms and a tourist information area.

The centre will employ 80 to 100 full and part-time people.

As part of BP’s environmental commitment, the service station will receive up to a third of its electricity from solar panels on the canopy over the pumps.

BP Managing Director Peter Griffiths said the centre will give northbound travellers an area of safety, convenience and comfort.

“Motorists will appreciate being able to fill up with fuel and food as they head off on holiday, or as they continue their journey.”

BP is planning extensive landscaping at the site to provide recreational and picnic areas for travellers.

It will be New Zealand’s third off-motorway service centre, all operated by BP. The others are located on Auckland’s southern motorway between Drury and Papakura, and at Bombay. The first motorway service centre opened at Bombay in 1994.

Work on the Dairy Flat Motorway Service Centre is due to begin in October subject to the appeal process and obtaining the appropriate building consents. The centre should open in August 2003.

Today’s approval follows two years of exhaustive planning by BP to gain necessary approvals, and consultation with locals and affected parties.

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