The approvals have been welcomed by Gunnedah Chamber of Commerce and transport company Stockmaster, which regularly delivers cattle to town.

Two of the sites are on the Kamilaroi Highway north of Gunnedah, and the third is on the corner of Tempest and Conadilly streets.

Chamber president Michael Broekman said the developments presented a great opportunity for Gunnedah, and that the proposed bypass had created opportunities for businesses.

“[It] just proves how resilient our economy is in the town compared to other country communities, and many thanks go to the agricultural and mining sectors for creating those opportunities,”  he said.

Mr Broekman said the trucking industry “has been screaming out for a rest spot and refuelling in Gunnedah”.

“It gives our shift workers the opportunity to be able to get fuel and refreshment… and it gives the transport industry a reason to stop at Gunnedah instead of stopping at another town,” he said.

Stockmaster employee and former truckie, Brad Varley, said 60-70 per cent of the drivers’ loads were after hours so it was great news for the transport industry.

“[There’s] nowhere to get a shower, nowhere to get a feed and nowhere to go to the toilet. [Drivers] either have to keep going to Narrabri or back to Tamworth,” he said. “The [development] out at the saleyards would be beneficial to us because nobody likes livestock crates to park in town.”