In its public announcement on Saturday, council said the circuit design would be required to cater to motor vehicle and motorcycle racing.

The Western Advocate has obtained a copy of council’s Expression of Interest (EoI) document that shows the new circuit will be located to the western side of McPhillamy and Reid parks, and below the ridge where the existing clay target club is located.

The design of the second circuit must be based on a preliminary layout provided in council’s EoI, which reveals the track has a maximum length of 4.58 kilometres.

Council’s preliminary layout shows there are three links within the circuit that allow for nine separate, smaller track options.

“The design, where appropriate, will be able to be modified to suit site requirements, cost consideration, spectator access and required approvals,” the EoI said.

The EoI calls for “detailed design drawings and specifications” on a number of other areas including paddock support areas, public vehicular and pedestrian entrances and carparks, competitor access and carparks, track safety structures and spectator areas.

Ticketing/entry structure, pit garage complex, ancillary facilities, site lighting, helipad and site communications design drawings must also be included.

“The design of the circuit will need to be approved by both the Federation Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) [and] Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM),” the EoI states.

Three new access roads to the new circuit will be constructed, running off College Road, the Mid Western Highway and Hinton/Boundary Road.

Mayor Graeme Hanger said while the EoI announcement was good news for the city, it was still “early days” for the second circuit project.

“It’s the very first step in a very long process,” he said. “It’s exciting that suddenly something might happen.

“It’ll reinforce Bathurst’s reputation as a racing precinct.”

Cr Hanger said the second circuit project, and possible associated businesses in the precinct, would be a great boost for Bathurst.

“There will be economic development in all sorts of areas,” he said.

Council plans to accept the successful tender in July, 2017 with design, documentation and lodgment to NSW Planning prior to December, 2017.