RESIDENTS and shoppers in the Cannonvale area might eventually reap the benefits of an additional petrol station at the Whitsunday Shopping Centre on Shute Harbour Road.

Coles local communications manager for corporate affairs, Julia Balderstone, confirmed this week that the company was proposing to build a Coles Express retail petrol station on a site currently occupied by a vacant building behind the former Red Rooster store.

"We are currently awaiting development approval [and] once approved, we would need a building permit to begin construction," Ms Balderstone said.

"Building is then likely to take up to four months subject to weather conditions."

Ms Balderstone said construction of the Coles Express would mean employment for up to 20 local tradespeople.

"And when completed, eight local jobs will be created," she said.

If the proposal is successful, unleaded petrol, diesel, V-Power and unleaded 95 will all be available on site. The station will have four fuel pumps, with hoses on either side, so customers have access to eight filling positions.

The Coles Express shop will sell cold drinks, confectionary, snacks, milk, bread, magazines and tobacco.

Tenants at the Whitsunday Shopping Centre were notified of the proposal via a memo distributed from the centre's management last week.