It has been seen that the first petrol station would be built in Bethlehem area which is north of Tauranga.

The construction would be starting next month on a Shell station on State Highway 2 and the station would open for public in October.

This station would provide around 12 fulltime jobs and would be operating 24 hours a day.

The Shell stations are run and operated by Greenstone Energy and it has been assumed by them that four months construction would provide 70 jobs.

It was told by Jonathan Hill, Greenstone Communications Manager that the company was in the procedure of contracting the construction and estimated the local workers to benefit.

Dave and Lynette Gillies handle and operate 11 Shell stations in the Bay and even this site would be operated by them.

According to Mark Arundel, who operates Bethlehem Pharmacy, it was sparkling news for the area.

"That's something that's been missing for a while and with the growth out here it's absolutely appropriate that we have it. As someone in the Bethlehem business community, having a full complement of services for the community is what we are really keen to have because everything complements everything else in that way", said Arundel.