Does East Gippsland miss out - due to lack of Council support?

Bryce Eishold, a reporter from Latrobe Valley reports that, “Back to the meeting ( Latrobe City Council), council is discussing whether or not to endorse the findings of a feasibility study for the establishment of a Motorsport and Event Complex in Latrobe City. It's also going to seek funding from state government for a business case for the complex. #gippsnews” This motion was unanimously carried.  But why I ask in Latrobe City Council area?

It was previously reported on 24^th May 2017 

by WIN News that, “The Latrobe Regional Motorsport Complex is looking for the green light more than a decade after it was first proposed. Plans for a multipurpose facility were approved by council in two thousand and six but there've been bumps in the road ever since.”

This means that East Gippsland will miss out yet again due to a lack-lustre council failing to understand the huge and varied benefits of such a facility in this area, and it seems, fails consistently to support such a project. Perhaps they are blind to reality?  Wake up to the real world!  

East Gippsland already has such a facility, no thanks to any financial support from council or our local State or Federal members.  Gippsland Motorplex is not even on council’s radar, so it is almost impossible to obtain any State or Federal funding assistance.  To date, funding support has been consistently denied despite being advised to apply, and parliamentary support a paper exercise.

There are a precious few Councillors in support of this project, and they are in the minority it would seem. The remaining Councillors perhaps provided with one sided arguments, dubious statistics and/or information by senior council staff and/or swayed by “outside influences” and personal agendas.

Gippsland Motorplex has a proven record of successful events bringing many thousands of dollars to our local businesses. Why no support? perhaps we should dress in spandex or footy shorts !

Why does Council not support this local facility? Why is it not on councils list of funding priorities?

Is Council supportive of a complex proven to regularly bring thousands of dollars into the region?

Is Council supportive of an existing local road safety program which saves the lives on our roads?

Since 2012, a small but dedicated team of volunteers have built the Gippsland Motorplex. They started with nothing, in fact they started with less than nothing, as a huge mess had to be cleared even before work began.With zero government funding support they have managed to provide:-

·         A driver education/training facility educating our youth in car control and driver safety. Obvious benefits enabling real hands-on driver education in a safe environment and whilst not dealing with everyday traffic.

·         A Burnout facility, holding regular events bringing huge economic benefit to the region.  

·         A Drag Strip (1/8^th mile track) holding successful meetings and with more planned – more dollar benefit.

·         A 4WD test track available to teach the correct way to drive off-road and for vehicle testing.

·         A Dirt Drag track for bikes and cars together with an oval dirt circuit, yet more events, yet more benefits.

These facilities are already in place, operational and successful, providing a well-attended range of events which could, indeed should, become a mecca for motorsport in South East Australia.

Why does our Council fail to see this worthwhile opportunity when others at Mildura, Swan Hill, Portland, Heathcote and now our neighbours Latrobe City can?

Why build a new facility in the Latrobe Valley, when all the hard work has been started in Bairnsdale?

The events already held at Gippsland Motorplex bring regular and numerous visitors into the region from both intra and interstate some supporters travelling huge distances to support events at Bairnsdale, the only complex of its kind between Sydney and Melbourne.  Future events will bring thousands more to the region with the obvious economic benefits. And yet our Council continues to ignore Gippsland Motorplex, denying it support or assistance, indeed it would seem, hell bent on making advancement as difficult as possible. Why ?

The Gippsland Motorplex provides a safe and controlled environment for those who wish to participate and/or spectate at these motorsport activities.  Better there than on the road.  The complex augments and supports road safety by providing the young with a place to let off steam, to do a burnout or two, and to race legally over a 1/8^th mile drag strip. It has a proven track record for holding well managed and successful family events filling local hotels, and supporting local businesses.

The complex also provides for formal driver education bringing new business and visitation to the region. This could be expanded to encompass off-road training, vehicle stability control and skid control. It plays an important role in road safety, driver education and training. It contributes to keeping death and destruction off our roads.

·       Why is East Gippsland Shire not working with and supporting the volunteers to ensure that this ready-made facility in the region is the leader in this field?

·       Why is this ground breaking facility not fully supported by Council, State and Federal government not just with words but with dollars and in kind support.

·       Why is long term funding not supported by the Shire?  It should be part of the Road Safety Program.

·       Why is event funding for events at the Gippsland Motorplex at best minimal, when other events attracting far less visitors/benefits receive tens if not hundreds of thousands of dollars due to inept decisions by both the council officers and Council’s funded but external marketing arm?

The time has come, with this news from Latrobe Valley, for East Gippsland Shire Council, to wake up and realise the worth of Gippsland Motorplex, to understand the benefit it provides to the community at large, the growth of tourism and events in this region, the support of local businesses, and its contribution to reducing road trauma. Failing to support the Gippsland Motorplex is failing the community, failing in your role as leaders, failing to support road safety initiatives.  

Time for action is now. 

Gippsland Motorplex Inc. 150 Aerodrome Rd Bairndale.                                                                                          Facebook:Gippsland Motorplex/Bairnsdale Dragway@bairnsdale.dragway.1

Web: www.gippslandmotorplex.com      Email: bairnsdaledragway@yahoo.com  

SKIDZ Driver Training: For more information or to book, please visit http://skidz.com.au/