Nowra in pole position for racetrack

[PVDA]

Found this via Facebook

http://www.southcoastregister.com.au...k/2039547.aspx

Nowra in pole position for racetrack

05 Jan, 2011 08:23 AM

SHOALHAVEN could become a car-racing centre, with the Confederation of Australian Motor Sport interested in a top track being developed west of the town.

During the recent Shoalhaven City Council meeting, council’s financial director Peter Dun confirmed Australia’s peak motor sport body had shown an interest in developing a racetrack off Main Road 92.

Cr Greg Watson was quick to extol the virtues of an expanded motor racing industry in the Shoalhaven, saying it could bring “many millions of dollars” to the region.

“This is a major industry that could bring an enormous amount of wealth to the area and jobs,” Cr Watson said.

“These opportunities only come along every so often.”

He said the proposal centred in building a racing centre and major regional facility at Yerriyong, near the existing motocross track.

As many major regional racetracks were being closed or facing the prospect of closure to free up land for redevelopment, Cr Watson said there would be plenty of money available to build a new facility on Nowra’s outskirts.

While there was a rumbling of disquiet among some at the meeting, and Cr Amanda Findley even spoke about people racing “goat carts”, Cr Gareth Ward was also quick to defend exploring the motor racing options.

“This is about the everyday Aussie wanting to enjoy their motorsports in the Shoalhaven,” he said.

Council voted to set up a committee comprising economic development manager Greg Pullen, tourism manager Tom Phillips, Roger Walker, Paul Sutton and Trevor Bridge to investigate the feasibility of building a new raceway near Nowra.

But there's also this a couple of days later....

http://www.southcoastregister.com.au...r/2041518.aspx

Racetrack won’t get traction: councillor07 Jan, 2011 09:36 AM
A MOTOR racing track west of Nowra would be unlikely to succeed, according to Shoalhaven City Councillor John Fergusson.

“If they can’t make Eastern Creek work, how do they have a hope of making something work in Nowra?” he asked.

Cr Fergusson was responding to the formation of a committee to explore the feasibility of a motor racing track after interest in such a facility was shown by the Confederation of Australian Motor Sports.

“Eastern Creek continues to be burning a hole in NSW taxpayers’ pockets despite being centrally located in western Sydney, with a huge population base to support it,” he said.

“It’s difficult to contemplate that a high-cost, high-maintenance and seldom used facility would have any economic justification.”

Cr Fergusson said there would also be enormous environment obstacles to overcome before the proposed track could become a reality.

Cr Fergusson’s comments put him at odds with Crs Greg Watson and Gareth Ward, who both championed the idea.

The council committee charged with exploring the proposal will include economic development manager Greg Pullen, tourism manager Tom Phillips, Roger Walker, Paul Sutton and Trevor Bridge.

Is Eastern Creek burning a hole in NSW Taxpayers pockets as is being claimed?? I thought it was pretty much booked solid nearly every day of the week for the whole year??

I thought the ARDC operated and maintained the site not the NSW government??

Perhaps the Councillor is confusing Eastern Creek with Homebush