Mount Panorama's second circuit: Call for tenders

One year ago, council called for expressions of interest from companies that had the capacity to design the second circuit, and now design tenders have been invited from the three companies that were shortlisted.

The three companies are Apex Circuit Design (UK based), Dromo (Italy) and Integrated Event Delivery Management (Australia).

“They’re good companies that have runs on the ground,” Cr Aubin said.

Council’s tender announcement said the second circuit would be an international standard with associated infrastructure.

“It will be situated adjacent to the existing facilities at Mount Panorama and capable of hosting a variety of motor vehicle and motorcycle events with capacity of 50,000 spectators,” it stated.

“The precinct will be a home to commercial and industrial infrastructure.”

Cr Aubin said he was waiting with “baited breath” for the designs to come into council.

“It’s going to be fantastic to see when they are finished,” he said.

The circuit could be operational in as little as two to three years and Cr Aubin said it was vital the design was implemented correctly.

“It’ll be a nice, long process, we’ve only got one chance to get this right, or very wrong,” he said.

Mayor Graeme Hanger said the call for tenders was the next step in an exciting journey to bring a second circuit to Bathurst and lift the city’s reputation for staging world-class international motor sport events.

“The associated infrastructure with the second circuit will attract high-tech industry and manufacturing and engineering research and development, opening up pathways for young people,” he said.

Cr Aubin said there was up to an 18 month wait for people to use the race tracks at Goulburn, Wakefield Park and Sydney Motorsport Park, and there was a huge need for another circuit that could be used every day of the year.

“It’s going to be an absolute boon for the city,” he said.

For those not interested in motor sport, he had one simple message: “We’re trying to get something happening here that’ll bring money into the city”.

The $52.4 million Velocity Park project at Mount Panorama will not only bring a second race circuit, it will also bring associated industrial and commercial development.

Already, $35m has been pledged to the project, including $15m from the NSW Government, and $10m each from the Federal Government and Bathurst Regional Council.