petrol Alley Services is planning to build a new service station near the corner of Aucks Rd and Russell Rd, Orongo Bay, on the way to the ferry landing - but a consent, let alone construction, could be months away.
Russell Business Association chairman Riki Kinnaird said he was concerned about the prospect of no fuel supply in the tourist town over summer.
"We need a petrol station like we need toilets, shops and restaurants. We need the infrastructure to satisfy all our visitors' needs - there's a genuine fear that if we don't have a petrol station people will have a bad experience, and they won't stay as long or they won't come back. In these tough economic times, one bad experience is all it takes."
Every business in Russell needed a good summer to get through the winter, he said.
Mr Kinnaird said some in the town, including the Russell Protection Society, wanted the historic service station retained in the centre of town.
The current site's disadvantages included a lack of running water, which meant he could not offer coffee or food, and a cramped forecourt. A Far North District Council spokesman said petrol Alley had filed an application for a land use consent for a new service station on May 22.
However, it was currently on hold because the applicant was seeking the consent of affected parties to avoid public notification and a hearing. The district council was not aware of any need for a consent from the Northland Regional Council. petrol Alley did not return calls.
