With little or no travel between Sydney and Melbourne, it's not a great time to open a fuel outlet - or perhaps it is, with light traffic allowing the centre to get broken in gently for what will inevitably become a constantly busy 24/7 centre.

There's sit-down dining capacity inside for more than 80 people, not counting the separate truckies dining room - and the car park is huge, with a capacity of roughly 100 cars and caravans.

The centre generated significant local employment during the construction phase, and is already proving a magnet for local services employment, with nine Cootamundra people working for the Happy Truckers Roadhouse Diner, as well as six from Gundagai, four from Coolac and one each from Jugiong, Muttama, Childowa and Tumut.

New employment opportunities will continue as the two new stores open, and locals are employed in roles such as grounds keeping, maintenance and cleaning as well as trades being and supplies being sourced locally.

There are 18 petrol and two diesel bowsers for cars. When I visited yesterday very few cars pulled up for fuel, although several trucks pulled through the five truck fueling bays, and Happy Truckers staff were busy preparing meals and drinks.

There were still workers putting the finishing touches to the extensive landscaping, which includes a large lawn in the front and a beautifully grassed area around the children's playground, which has tables and chairs under shade close by for parents to keep a watchful eye.

The complex has a dog park, a mothers room with nursing chair, an ATM, a defibrillator and even a guests' laundry.

There's also Cafe 31, serving great coffee, homemade cakes and slices and more delights to come. Cafe 31 is owned and operated by Hue and Jet Robb from Jugiong's Long track pantry, and managed by Peta Hiller.