THE Australian Skateboard Racing Association faces an uphill battle to run a 2018 round of its downhill championship on Mount Panorama after Bathurst Regional Council staff again recommended against making the track available.
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Mount Panorama hosted a round of the International Downhill Federation World Cup in February this year, but only after councillors voted to ignore the advice of senior staff to steer clear of the event.
The World Cup round, titled Newtons Nation, drew 120 competitors from Australia and overseas and, at its conclusion, was hailed a success by ASRA president James Hopkin.
But a report to Wednesday night’s council meeting by corporate services and finance director Aaron Jones paints a different story.
Mr Jones confirms ASRA has again written to council seeking to run a World Cup round on Mount Panorama from April 5-9 next year, but he recommends councillors knock back the request.
Mr Jones cites a number of issues from the 2017 event – including an “apparent lack of respect towards council staff” – in making the case to refuse access to the Mount for the 2018 Newtons Nation.
“Some of the issues that occurred during the 2017 event included non-compliance with traffic control plans; non-compliance with resident access/security; risks to competitor safety; and an apparent lack of respect towards council staff,” Mr Jones wrote.
Video credit: Elliot Melling
“In previous years, the organisers have requested council to provide a significant amount of infrastructure and access at no cost to them.
“As yet, no equivalent request for the 2018 event has been received, however, it is anticipated that a request is imminent.”
Mr Jones said council could expect ASRA to seek fee waivers in relation to a partial track closure for three days; use of McPhillamy Park; use of camping facilities and amenities; use of the Castrol Tower; use of starting line timing systems; use of PA systems; rubbish removal; use of street sweeper; and use of council assets.
The list would amount to about $20,000 in direct and in-kind support from council.
“Given the recurring resident and council issues that this event continues to cause, it is recommended that council not make Mount Panorama available for this event,” Mr Jones wrote.
In his written submission to council, ASRA president James Hopkin again expressed a desire to make Newtons Nation an annual event officially sanctioned by the International Downhill Federation.
He said it would be a free, all ages event “designed to engage with the youth and local community of the Bathurst region”.
“It is anticipated that the event will generate significant revenue for the local economy in addition to a great deal of positive broadcast and print exposure for the Bathurst region,” the submission states.
Mr Hopkin again sought to distance ASRA from the promoters of the original Newtons Nation events on Mount Panorama from 2008-2010, saying they no longer had an involvement.
Councillors will vote on the submission from ASRA on Wednesday night.
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