Goulburn's loss may be Canberra's gain if talks to move all or part of the Wakefield Park raceway to Canberra succeed.
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A consultant to the Braidwood Road motor racing outfit, who wished to remain anonymous, confirmed that Wakefield Park representatives were meeting with two ACT Ministers next week to sound out the government's interest in a racing circuit.
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"It is not designed as a relocation but it may create that possibility if it is not viable to stay," she said.
"...They are not talking about closing (in Goulburn) yet but they aren't positive about it continuing as a motor racing facility under the approved conditions. It is just not financially viable."
Wakefield Park operations manager Dean Chapman declined comment. Benalla Auto Group owns the facility. CEO Chris Lewis-Williams said he couldn't comment either.
Goulburn Chamber of Commerce president and motorcycling enthusiast Darrell Weekes said Mr Chapman had been instructed by his management committee to investigate options to shift the track to Canberra. The Post understands this may leave Wakefield to host quieter community type events but nothing is confirmed.
"We (the Chamber) know there is land available around Canberra airport and the zoning is appropriate," Mr Weekes said.
"I have this from an impeccable source...I can't blame them for having the conversations but it's concerning they feel they have to move from Goulburn. It reflects where the relationship is at with Goulburn Mulwaree Council.
"It will be a huge economic blow if it goes. The council says the annual economic injection to Goulburn is $8 million but we believe it's closer to $16m. Every time a (racing team) comes to Goulburn we can estimate what they spend on fuel, food, accommodation and (mechanical) work they have done."
He pointed out that families also visited and the complex attracted many "gentleman racers who thought nothing of buying a $250 bottle of wine."
News of the ACT negotiations comes on the eve of Goulburn Mulwaree Council's election. The raceway's continuation is "absolutely" a hot button issue, Mr Weekes says.
He told The Post that the council's July approval conditions for Wakefield's operations were not a long-term solution.
"(Deputy Mayor) Peter Walker's amendment should have been accepted because it was workable in the short-term, though a long-term solution was needed. What was passed didn't solve any problems," he said.
The parties have been at loggerheads since residents aired their concerns about noise from the facility in the past few years. They and the council claimed the operators had breached the original 1992 consent conditions.
It resulted in a noise prevention notice in 2020. Wakefield Park subsequently lodged a development application to formalise its terms, modernise infrastructure and expand offerings such as go-karting and an off-road experience area. It involved a $5.6 million capital expenditure.
After two marathon meetings, the council approved the DA in July. Mayor Bob Kirk and Crs Carol James, Sam Rowland, Alf Walker and Denzil Stugiss were in favour, while Deputy Mayor Peter Walker, Leah Ferrara, Andrew Banfield and Margaret O'Neill were against.
However Wakefield has challenged consent conditions in the NSW Land and Environment Court. They include a colour-coded operating regime, which restricts activities at the noisiest 95 decibel limit to 50 days a year. This would reduce to 30 by year three.
Mr Chapman previously said the regime would render the raceway unviable and give its main competitor, Sydney Motorsport Park, a distinct advantage.
Court conciliation failed on Thursday and the matter will go to a hearing in March.
Historic approval
Mr Weekes said the Chamber of Commerce fully supported Wakefield's continuation.
"The challenge is that Wakefield was approved as a club track back in 1992," he said.
"Residents have legitimate concerns and over the years the noise issue has been handled poorly by various people connected to the track. Dean wants to find a solution but it's hard to change people's minds when they're made up."
Residents told the July meeting that none of them aimed to shut down the raceway and only wanted a solution. However they argued that Wakefield had refused to negotiate.
Mr Weekes urged council candidates to "look at the big picture."
"We've already lost the Coles Distribution Centre...We can't afford to lose more," he said.
Meantime, local developer and businessman Robert Rampton said Canberra would likely "welcome the raceway with open arms."
"I'd hate to see us lose it," he said.
"It's terrific for the city and I don't think people realise what it brings. Every day there is something on there and it brings business to motels, food houses and shops...People wants to spend their money here.
"...It's a business and if they don't make money they will go somewhere else."
Mr Rampton believed the council could have done more to keep Wakefield operating at a competitive level.
Candidates respond
Mayor Bob Kirk said he understood Benalla Auto Group was unhappy with the consent conditions.
"If they move to Canberra that's a great shame," he said.
"It's very disappointing but they don't seem to appreciate we were tolerant and tried to work with them."
Cr Kirk said Wakefield's shift would be a "sad outcome for Goulburn" but councillors had to make a decision. He believed that overall it was the right one. However he hoped the court could find a solution to ensure Wakefield remained "a raging success."
"It's not really an election issue. People will use it to make a choice (at Saturday's election) but it's one of many decisions we've made over five years," the mayor said.
Cr Peter Walker told The Post he had heard about Wakefield's investigations across the border.
"I'll be super disappointed if we let it walk away without sitting down and saying it needs to be addressed," he said.
Cr Walker said the raceway's management was prepared to consider the alternative he proposed in July.
Another candidate, Steve Ruddell, also weighed into the debate.
"I feel for the residents and I think things can be done to lessen the noise impact but it would be an absolute mess if we lost Wakefield Park."
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Louise Thrower
If you have a story to tell, drop me a line at louise.thrower@austcommunitymedia.com.au or call 0418 229 678.
If you have a story to tell, drop me a line at louise.thrower@austcommunitymedia.com.au or call 0418 229 678.
