Parkes Shire Council Celebrates Commencement Of Gateway Service Centre

Published on 13 February 2025

Stevens Group, Parkes Shire Council and the NSW Government’s Regional Growth Development Corporation (RGDC) yesterday celebrated the commencement of construction with a ceremony on site of the bp Highway Service Centre in Parkes. The Stevens Group development site is located in the Parkes Special Activation Precinct northern gateway, that will connect the precinct with the Parkes town centre and Newell Highway.

The first stage of the project commenced construction in late 2024, with bulk earthworks, servicing and road infrastructure underway. Once complete the Highway Service Centre will be anchored by bp with a convenience store, truck drivers lounge with showers laundry and diner and 26 Heavy Vehicle parking spaces to provide a much needed rest stop on this significant transport route.

Mayor of Parkes Shire Council Neil Westcott said the "modest sod-turning ceremony belies the significance of this crucial development. This project is more than just a service centre; it serves as the gateway to the heart of national logistics and the Parkes Special Activation Precinct. We are thrilled to partner with esteemed developers like the Stevens Group and bp, whose involvement underscores the quality and national importance of this site. This development will not only serve the Newell Highway but also the expansive 4700-hectare Eco-industrial Special Activation Precinct.”

The northern gateway, at the junction of the Newell Highway bypass and Henry Parkes Way, will include a service centre as well as a future fast food, commercial and a business park.

Jason Capuano, Development Director of the Stevens Group said, “Stevens Group is very proud to be part of the Parkes Special Activation Precinct.

"It is fantastic to see progress on site on a project we have been working on for many years.”

“This first stage of the 20ha Parkes Gateway Precinct will be a state-of-the-art Highway Service Centre, that will provide much need infrastructure to service the Parkes SAP and heavy vehicles using the Newell Highway. Future stages will provide a great opportunity for Industrial and Trade Retail businesses being located closer to their customers.”

Minister for Regional NSW, Tara Moriarty, said the Newell Highway is the longest and one of the busiest transport routes in regional NSW and that traffic brings opportunities for further growth and investment in the Parkes region.

“With its prime position on the Newell Highway, the Parkes Gateway will offer unique business spaces with highway frontage and the ability to host infrastructure like data centres that will support improved regional networks,” Ms Moriarty said.

Stage 1 of the northern gateway development is set to coincide with the completion of the Parkes Bypass in mid 2025 and will include a new highway service centre and site infrastructure work, such as roads, water, sewer and other utilities.

Paul Augé, bp Senior Vice President Mobility, Convenience & Midstream, Australia and New Zealand said, “Parkes is a key transport corridor for many drivers; from family road trips to truck drivers travelling across the country. This strategic location complements our national network well, offering drivers a convenient place to rest, refuel and recharge for the rest of their journeys.”

Special Activation Precincts are part of the $4.2 billion Snowy Hydro Legacy Fund, dedicated to major and transformative infrastructure projects that will benefit regional NSW.

For more information,visit www.nsw.gov.au/parkessap