The department of minerals and energy has yet to grant a retail licence to a petrol station in Greyton - the only one in the town - that would save people having to make a 74km round-trip to get fuel.
Garth Clarkson bought the filling station in July and obtained permission to trade as an Engen outlet.
He said he had applied to the department for a licence on September 4, but had yet to receive a response, despite a clause in the Petroleum Products Act of 1977 stipulating that the department decide on retail licence applications "within 90 days".
| 'There is no doubt that the absence of a petrol station is affecting tourism' |
At the same time, Clarkson applied for a temporary licence, but this was denied because the department believed there were "not sufficient grounds to warrant" one, he said.
Clarkson said he had now been put in touch with "the relevant person" at the department, petroleum controller Zingisa Mavuso.
Mavuso had said the application was being processed, but there were concerns around the station's "viability", he said.
But Greyton Residents' Organisation representative Derek Crabtree said the station could "quite easily (generate) R120 000 a month if (run) properly".
He said there was "no doubt" that the absence of a petrol station was affecting tourism in the town and "about 10 000 people" in the area.
Contacted for comment on Tuesday, Mavuso said the department was "trying to deal with (the issue)" and that he preferred not to comment further at this stage.
natasha.joseph@inl.co.za
This article was originally published on page 3 of The Cape Times on January 30, 2008