BP says it has signed a multi-million dollar agreement with Sirona Capital to secure a 2.5ha site in a new industrial area at Muchea for a service station and truck stop.

The deal is part of a plan by Sirona to develop 150ha of land on the Great Northern Highway 43km north-east of Perth as an industrial area.

BP’s vice president of sales and marketing, Mike McGuinness, said the company was excited to secure the land as the company believed the area had significant potential for growth.

“BP plans to build a service centre and truck-stop on the land to add to our extensive network of more than 280 truck-friendly sites, the largest truck network in Australia,” he said.

BP said the area would be ideally located at the intersection of three major roads, including the Great Northern Highway, Brand Highway following re-alignment, and the Perth-Darwin highway, expected to be completed in 2019.

Sirona Capital, which is developing the Northern Gateway industrial park, is a specialist independent private equity and corporate advisory firm based in Perth

Managing director Kelvin Flynn said the company was delighted BP shared the vision for the strategic link in WA’s freight transport infrastructure.

“Our development strategy for Muchea will help to reduce direct input costs for the agricultural and resources sectors, particularly with the proposed development of a road train assembly nearby,” he said.

BP’s site, which is expected to cost about $15 million, is expected to open by 2019.

It will provide a safe resting stop with a full range of truck-friendly services and facilities at a convenient location.

It will provide a heavy vehicle canopy for fuelling large, long-haul trucks, extensive truck parking, a convenience store, restaurant, showers and laundry facilities. There will also be a light vehicle canopy for fuelling cars, 4WDs and small commercial vehicles.