The abandoned and vandalised Quest fuel station opposite Willow Dam in Graaff Reinet Road is an all but welcoming site to Kariega.
The fuel station, take-away and shop section as well as the video shop have not been in use for the past few years and vandals have gradually started to strip the building for scrap metal. A few weeks ago, the shop and office sections were set alight and destroyed.
“The derelict building is a no man’s business and has become a shelter for criminals. There has been a significant increase in criminal activities in the neighbouring Fairbridge Heights Extension. Visiting the site, it is evident that criminals and vandals are operating from it,” said Ward 51 Councillor Roelf Basson.
“Owing to the state it is in and the unwanted activities happening there, the municipal planning tribunal should be notified to have it declared a problem building. It surely is not the kind of building one would like to see in Kariega, especially not as you enter the town,” said Basson.
Since Basson started enquiring about the premises, Quest has removed all its company signage.
Nico Oosthuizen, a Territory Manager at Petrefeul, of which Quest is part of, told UD Express that an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is being done at the site.
The UD Express also requested Adriaan le Roux, National Retail Manager Petrefeul, to comment on the state of the old Quest fuel station in Graaff Reinet Road. But at the time of going to print no response was received.
According to Basson, “We would like to know from Petrefeul and Quest what their immediate plans are with regard to this problem site.
“The buildings should be demolished, and the underground fuel tanks should be removed.
“We are concerned about the underground fuel tanks and what condition they are in. In the days the late Pana Panagis was still the owner of the fuel station it happened a few times that there was water in the fuel. This might be owing to the relatively high-water table and damp area in which the fuel station was built,” said Basson.
When the UD Express visited the site, it was noticed that the copper caps of the underground fuel tanks have been removed. This is hazardous as fuel gases can easily cause an explosion if set alight.
Rudi Thirion, Chairperson of the Mosel Neighbourhood Watch, said this Quest fuel station is a huge matter of concern and a haven for vandals and criminals.
“Apart from the premises being hideous, it is a draw-card for vandals. Criminals also operate from these buildings and there is a sudden increase in criminal activities in the area. From our side we’ve contacted Quest management to inform them about the problem building, but until now nothing has been done from their side and matters are worsening,” said Thirion.
According to Basson, it has in the meanwhile come to his attention that “a proposal for a fuel station and an accompanying business at this site have been submitted to the municipality.”
