Northern Grampians Shire Council Mayor Kevin Erwin said it was great to see the activity happening in Stawell.

"From what I've seen it's been pretty well received," he said.

"The number of jobs the company has identified will certainly help with the unemployment rates within the region. People and investors can see some real positives happening in the area and see it as a place on the move.

"We're getting a lot of interest for projects right across the shire so it's certainly a sign we're on the move."

Many residents expressed concerns around new development and housing within the region.

"We're seriously looking at the housing issue and hopefully we can address that issue very soon with extensive background work being done," Cr Erwin said.

"Hopefully we can get out an expression of interest for building housing very soon."

EARLIER:

Retailer OTR are building a retail convenience store along the Western Highway, Stawell.

The retail hub is due to open by March 2020 and will create 55 new retail jobs for the region.

The development will offer services open 24/7 including: barista-made C Coffee, a range of supermarket essentials, OTR's Eat products for food on the go, Moe's Dog and Shake, BP Fuel and Hungry Jack's, including a drive thru.

Associated roadworks have already commenced, with building works expected to start at 34 Ararat Road Stawell within two months.

OTR's community partnerships and public relations manager Joann Skene said the project was an "exciting development for Stawell".

"The development will create 40 new jobs during the construction phase, and an additional 55 much-needed retail roles to be filled by people of all ages from the local surrounding community of Stawell, making OTR the third largest private employer in town," she said.

"OTR is looking forward to opening in Stawell next year. As with all our OTR stores, we aim to become an integral part of the local community and region, by supporting community groups, events, sporting clubs and local food producers.

"We will also offer ongoing employment, the opportunity for career development and training to Stawell and its surrounding community. We will also be looking for the best retail store manager in Stawell to head up our new OTR team."

OTR has grown from a single petrol station in Adelaide in 1984 to bringing together retail skills and brands into a multi-branded convenience offer. OTR will also provide life-saving access to public defibrillators at all their regional stores, including Stawell.

As an Australian family business operating for over 30 years, OTR has more than 146 stores and employs 3,100 people. Stawell will be Victoria's fifth OTR store after Irymple - opening in 2015, Portland - June 2019 and two stores in Horsham which are due to open late 2019.

More to come.

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