Bathurst Regional Council is selling a home on Conrod Straight which belonged to former Bathurst mayor, the late Nevil Barlow.

Council bought the property from the family as a solution to access issues during race meetings.

Council’s property officer Ben Campbell said the house has gone on the market for $700,000. 

Initially council is only advertising the property locally, to give Bathurst residents first opportunity to buy a piece of Mt Panorama, but if it doesn’t sell they will advertising nationally. 

Mr Campbell said there were a group of houses on Mt Panorama that, during race time, only had access before and after the Great Race.

“When Mr Barlow’s property came on the market it was a great opportunity to rectify that,” he said. “Council purchased the property to allow residents in that area access 24/7.”

Mr Campbell said council created a right of way up the side of the property and across the middle of the circuit and through the tunnel, allowing residents to come and go as they please. 

Once the right of way had been established there was no need to retain the property.

The house is located on the right hand side of Conrod Straight near Bathurst Goldfields.

Mr Campbell said the house has stunning views over Bathurst.

“This is a unique opportunity to own a piece of Mt Panorama,” he said.

He added that because the property is at the higher end of the market council wants the best possible return.

Mr Campbell said if there are no takers locally, then council will advertise nationally in the V8X magazine which has a readership of 1.7 million. The next edition of this magazine will come out in September/October right in time for the Bathurst 1000. 

“Once word gets out about this property someone will snap it up,” Mr Campbell said. “Mt Panorama is the holy grail of motor racing - everyone wants to buy their own little piece of Mt Panorama.”