A BP service centre opening this week opposite the Logic industrial and transport estate will employ more than 80 people.
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The $20 million centre at Barnawartha North, owned and operated by the Spargo Group, has a Hungry Jack’s and Cafe One and a Subway outlet will open there in three weeks.
The Spargo Group’s director of food operations Glenn Sullivan said the company was proud it was creating jobs.
“Our three managers at the site are female and local,” Mr Sullivan said.
“There are about 80 employees and we hope to increase the number; the site will only grow with public awareness.”
Builder and site manager with AI Group, David Sipthorp said the construction had also created many employment opportunities.
“We used all local trades — everyone besides the electricians and plumbers were from the region,” Mr Sipthorp said.
It is the Border’s first fatigue centre where truck drivers can stop and rest.
“Albury-Wodonga has been highlighted as the No. 1 place between Sydney and Melbourne needing a fatigue centre,” Mr Sullivan said.
The centre has a laundry, shower, toilet and dining areas with plenty of parking.
Mr Sullivan said the centre would operate 24 hours a day.
“All meals are cooked on site — you can get a steak at 2am if you want and everything on the menu is available 24-7,” he said.
AI Group manager Peter Breckenridge said there were parking spaces for 50 trucks, 10 buses and 82 cars.
“If the site does as well as we hope, we have land to add more truck and car parking,” he said.
The state minister for regional and rural development Peter Ryan said last year when visiting the Border the government would provide $5.6 million for the centre.
Wodonga Council provided $2.9 million, the Transport Department almost $4 million, and $1.6 million came from the regional growth fund.