When Carol Sufong heard about a new motor sports park proposed for Bathurst she let out a sigh of relief. Her three young children would no longer be restricted to riding their motorbikes in the backyard.
She said a bike park would be a much safer environment for her children to ride in.
The park’s proposed location is a 3000 acre property 50km from Bathurst on the Freemantle Road and will be called Area-51, after the US military installation.
Ms Sufong said there was a big need for a motorbike park in the community.
“At the moment in Bathurst there’s nothing to do except go to the movies and go bowling which can get a bit repetitive. It will be good to know you don’t have to drive kilometres and kilometres and kilometres away to have a nice day out,” Ms Sufong said.
“I’m all for it [Area-51].”
And she is not the only one. Stephen Daymond, who owns the Goldpanner Motor Inn, said the park would benefit the local community.
“I feel, and many others that I have spoken to [feel] that Area-51 will be a great thing for the local area and all the surrounding areas as there is no where for children and adults to ride safely,” Mr Daymond said.
‘There have been a few deaths around Bathurst over the past five years where children have been riding in unsafe areas with tragic results. Riding in areas like the State Forests is against the law and it is impossible to keep an eye on the children.
“Having a motel in Bathurst I also feel that it will be good for our business and will bring money to our city on a weekly basis, as there are lots of people that travel long distances just to ride in these facilities.”
Cath McDowell, who lives at Mount Rankin, said she supported the new park but it would have to have appropriate sound levels and meet the environmental impact standards set by council.
Bathurst Business Chamber president, Peter Sargent, said the chamber supported the proposal “whole heartedly”.
“What I’m most impressed about is their real intention to consult with the community. This will take the bikes out of our state forests,” he said.
“I think it’s a potentially excellent development for the area, certainly in terms of providing a safe and secure environment for children to participate in motor cycle pursuits.
“They are planning to have environmental and sustainable dwellings such as eco tents which I think is a fantastic idea.
“They also indicated an intention to prevent alcohol being consumed on the site so it’s more about families enjoying themselves. They seem to have covered all angles in my opinion.
“In principal I think the park is a great idea but I understand there are concerns from people who live in that area,” Mr Sargent said.
He was talking about the Freemantle Local Action Group, who are angry their neighbourhood has been chosen for the site.
They are concerned about the increased traffic on an already dangerous road, and say the park will have negative effects on the environment and the community. They are worried the noise of the park will disturb their quality of life. But according to the developers, a noise survey found sound would be minimal based on the topography of the region.
Cabonne Shire Council senior planner Heather Nicholls said they were still in the consultation phase regarding the proposed park.
“A number of government agencies are seeking additional information and there have been quite a number of community submissions,” Ms Nicholls said.