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The result so far has been a couple of letters claiming to support the project, other than that a succession of delays, cast offs, and a seemingly high level of disinterest in the majority. I have sat in front of our new Shire Council CEO (February 2018), and been told they are supportive, but wait a minute, we will do a Master Plan (which number plan this is escapes me), it will be fast-tracked, (Gippsland Motorplex) will have to wait for the outcome. We are still waiting!
We approached the Consultants compiling the so called Master Plan at their invitation, expressing our concerns and explaining the Gippsland Motorplex, its ideals, its successes and its forward plans, (yes we have those too), we provided them with a full documented explanation with zero return contact.
We have discovered that apparently, at the instigation of Council and orchestrated by its officers, a group was tasked to, what can only be described as undermine the motor-sport groups using the Bairnsdale Aerodrome site, each being leased from Council. Was this group, who hitherto have nothing to do with any of the incumbent existing clubs, chosen specifically to find them a home? A letter was sent to the Gippsland Motorplex, from an individual apparently on behalf of this group. The letter itself was confusing and in a number of instances inaccurate, but when a reply was made asking for more detailed information regarding this ill-conceived and clumsily administered attempt to undermine the facility, nothing was heard.
So then when the following article was seen in the Pakenham Gazette, a number of questions and concerns came to mind. It is reported in the Pakenham Gazette as follows:-
A $200m world class motorsports complex in Pakenham
is set to be completed within the next two years.
By Jessica Anstice.
A $200 million world class motorsports complex in Pakenham is set to be completed within the next two years. Development plans for Cardinia Motor Recreation and Education Park was officially given the nod of approval by Cardinia Shire Council on Monday 9 December.
The 128 hectare McGregor Road site will be home to a 3.6km race track – capable of accommodating V8 Supercars – a drag straight, pit facilities, a 1.4km rallycross circuit, driver education and experience centre, 900 metre go-karting circuit, 50,000 square metres of spectator viewing and grandstand areas, a sport shooting range, and vehicle storage buildings.
To complement the state-of-the-art facility, a trackside hotel will be the key component to the complex’s infrastructure. The accommodation will enable guests to obtain views out over the racing circuit and may range in height from two storeys to a maximum 10 storeys.
“We’ve been working on this project for over two years now so when it was approved we were very excited,” project developer Podium 1 chief operations officer Felicity Richardson said.
“Not only will the local region benefit from this complex, but it’s set to be the motorsports hub of Victoria and we can even argue Australia as there are no other sites like it.
“We are now going to start working on the detailed design which will probably take a couple more months, and then we will progress to construction.”
During the council meeting, Cr Brett Owen said he “can’t recall anything quite the size in Cardinia” of what the complex is planned to be.
“Motorsports is a legitimate recreation in our shire that has, in my opinion, been forgotten about for a long time,” Cr Owen said.
“It’s been 15 years in relation to this site to get where we are now.
“Council purchased 335 McGregor Road back in 2004 and now the planning process is before us.”
With major noise pollution concerns, Pakenham resident Tony O’Hara is less than pleased about the approval.
Mr O’Hara said he is “disappointed” that there was no mention of the site being 1300 metres away from residential properties.
“I’m not surprised that the plans were approved – unfortunately the council voting seem to be thinking about big game for the shire and not worrying about what their community are going to have to put with,” he said.
“They don’t seem to understand. I feel as though they listen to me in theory but don’t take any notice of what I’m saying – they’re dismissing my comments as irrelevant when they should be studying my comments.”
A council spokesperson said council peer reviewed the noise assessments provided to date that were undertaken by the proponent and they were deemed “satisfactory”.
If the above is true and comes to fruition, East Gippsland has missed out on a golden opportunity due to the inept lack of support, interest, understanding, action, and support at all levels of government, but especially by East Gippsland Shire Council who has consistently minimised, delayed and/or blocked supportive actions. Indeed we are advised by both our State and Federal members that they are unable to assist until Council supports the concept and includes it in their plan.
It has to be said that there are Councillors who have been at pains to support the Gippsland Motorplex namely Cr's.Pelz and Ellis. Both these Councillors have not only been supportive of the plans, but have taken the opportunity to actually visit the complex and see it in operation. It was also pleasing to see the new Mayor Cr. White attending the last event in November a matter of only weeks since his appointment. Conspicuous by their absence are other Councillors, Senior Staff, and both our State and Federal members.
Allow me to remind you that within the Bairnsdale Aerodrome site is Gippsland Motorplex which includes a Driver Training facility, Drag Strip, Burnout Pad, 4WD Course, Dirt Bike track, and Dirt Strip, separately housed and operated is a Karting Club, a Motorcycle Club and a Pistol Club. Sounds familiar doesn't it?
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| Truck Drag Racing |
It was previously reported on 24th 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.”
I commented:- 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!
adding
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.
Our administrators then have had plenty of warning, plenty of advice, they have duly sat on their hands and done little if anything practical to advance Gippsland Motorplex. They have also denied local business the benefits of proven, regular, and considerable injections of funds into the local community whenever an event is held. They have denied our youth with a driver training opportunity and support of a venue where they can enjoy simple low cost motorsport. They have failed in their responsibility to promote tourism and economic development and to provide as far as possible a safer environment.
On 22/1/2018, I wrote:-
Most of us have recently enjoyed another festive season, but inevitably it would seem, many families have been traumatised by road injuries and sadly too many deaths, 6 in the first 8 days of 2018 in Victoria alone. Those affected go far beyond those immediately involved and extend to emergency service personnel, hospital staff and medical professionals, indeed entire communities can and are affected. I pose the following and make no apology for calling it as I see it.
Are we willing to continue to sit back for another year, with the usual array of discussion groups, costly publicity campaigns, monthly meetings and the like, coming up with yet another slogan, yet another questionable (and costly) project, and more empty promises of support from all levels of government? Enough talk, it is time to act.
The remainder of this piece and others can be viewed on my blog, (dated 22/1/2018) but alas it seems, nothing has changed. It appears that government at all levels simply pays lip service to reducing toad trauma. Many of our media also are guilty it would seem of compiling and printing a piece to gain readers, a bit of sensationalism only to be forgotten or lost in the memory of some far flung computer.
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| Locally built "rail"- drag car |
Road Trauma affects not only those immediately involved, but also a wide range of others whose job it is to deal with this monster which maims, which kills and which affects so many for so long in a fraction of a second. We must find new ways to reduce fatalities and serious injuries. We have one here in East Gippsland, Gippsland Motorplex is doing something different and something effective, it is already in operation.
A solution then, just may be on our doorstep. Gippsland Motorplex is a way forward that can be achieved locally and is in its embryonic stages but it needs publicity, it needs support, both financially and from all levels of government. We need to it now, not next month, not next year, nor in the next five year plan.
Great work is being done, and inroads are being made in young driver education at the Gippsland Motorplex and operating from SKIDZ Driver Training, a private local company is slowly gaining a foothold in the early education of our young drivers and using this location and its facilities. They save lives, they educate our youth.
Why is it so hard for driver training facilities like the one at the “Motorplex” to gain advice, recognition, support and assistance with available funding. This is about saving lives, reducing debilitating pain and long term disability, and minimising mental trauma, not even considering any financial savings.
It seems other councils can see through the smoke, so where do you sit East Gippsland? It is indeed a tragedy to see in my view, so much potential being dragged down by so much negativity and inept, misplaced bureaucratic red tape, questionable information, apparent "loss"of documents and perhaps a few personal agendas.
Why no government funding/assistance for Gippsland Motorplex at any level? It has been built by volunteers and public donation from businesses who see through the smoke to a clear road ahead. It is high time that governments at all levels came to realize the potential of this facility and the like, not only from a road trauma aspect, and one assisting our youth, but from an overall economic benefit aspect to the region.
What direct funding can be put in place to upgrade and maintain this facility. No election promises here please, direct funding. With real awareness we can achieve real action, real education, real understanding and perhaps then we can really reduce the level of trauma on our roads.
Does East Gippsland miss out again?
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