MOUNT Panorama’s second track was brought to the national stage on Monday night by Federal Member for Calare John Cobb.
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He told the House of Representatives in Canberra that the second track would not only boost Bathurst, but the nation.
“As I have already run by the deputy prime minister, the minister for infrastructure, this will do a lot for the region,” he said.
“The Bathurst car races are not just the biggest car races in Australia, they are well known throughout the world, and people do come from around the world.
“The Bathurst 12 Hour, which is probably not as big domestically as the October races, has entrants from all around the world.”
He also told the 150 elected MPs that the current track is limited by an act of parliament – which is even more reason for a second track, according to Mr Cobb.
“It is part of the normal road work in the metropolis of Bathurst, so it is only allowed to shut down and run races five times a year,” he told parliament.
“So a second track would actually allow two things: one, to hold events all the time; and two, once again, to have bike races.
“Apart from Phillip Island, there is no really big bike centre these days.”
Mr Cobb said because Bathurst is already known as a “race centre”, the potential for the second track was enormous and something parliament should “have a look at”.
The backing came after Bathurst Regional Council’s commitment of $15 million for the second track in its 2015-16 budget was announced earlier this month.
In addition, council would also pour another $1.05 million into the facility for a range of upgrades.
These include a pit entry concrete barrier worth $320,000 to replace the present tyre barrier; a spectator mound on Conrod Straight worth $250,000; sewer services mains on Conrod Straight worth $200,000; changing the lap scorer over to digital will cost $150,000 and an information services’ fibre ring will cost $130,000.
It wasn’t the only local project brought to the attention of the sitting members on Monday night.
Mr Cobb said a Charles Sturt University medical school, with locations in Orange and Wagga Wagga, should be a “priority over the next year for the next budget”.
“It will not need a big amount of capital – nothing like the amount that is being put into the new medical school in Perth,” he said.
He said a new medical training facility for training doctors in Perth shows that “when necessary, the money is there”.
