CALLS to have a giant flagpole and Australian flag installed near the top of Mount Panorama have fallen on deaf ears, with Bathurst Regional Council saying the proposal is not viable at this stage.
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Australian oil company Penrite - a major sponsor of the Erebus Motorsport Supercars team - is leading the push for the flagpole and is attempting to harness public support.
A change.org petition launched on Thursday attracted more than 200 supporters in the first 24 hours and Penrite managing director Toby Dymond said the move would bring Mount Panorama in line with major race tracks across the world.
Mr Dymond said he had seen national flags flying at NASCAR, IndyCar, Formula One and Moto GP events around the world and it was time for Bathurst to follow suit by erecting a flagpole near the top of the circuit, next to the giant Mount Panorama signage on the side of the mountain.
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He also like to see a "symbol of significance" acknowledging the local Wiradyuri people, the traditional custodians of the land.
"I am sure that I am not alone in wanting our national flag or the traditional custodians' flag to fly proudly at the top of Mount Panorama, not just during the world famous motor racing events held there but all of the time, symbolising how special this place is to millions of Australians and to the local community," Mr Dymond said.
"When I visit sporting events around the world, national flags are always a part of each event, promoting national pride.
"It makes the whole country feel proud of these major international events and I cannot understand why we don't have our national flags flying proudly at this world-famous venue.
I am sure that I am not alone in wanting our national flag or the traditional custodians' flag to fly proudly at the top of Mount Panorama.
- Penrite managing director Toby Dymond
"The Bathurst 1000, Bathurst 12 Hour and the Bathurst 6 Hour events are renowned worldwide. Drivers and teams from all over the world rate the Mount Panorama circuit up there with the handful of the world's greatest motor racing venues and events.
"I think it is about time that Australians displayed how proud we are of this incredible racing circuit and the famed events that it stages, along with the champions that it has created, by erecting a national flag pole there."
Mr Dymond said he had approached council with the idea before going public with his campaign, but had been knocked back "for reasons relating to resources, construction and maintenance".
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Mayor Graeme Hanger reiterated those problems in a statement to the Western Advocate.
Cr Hanger said the protocols associated with flying the national flag made it a problematic proposal.
"[According to the protocols] the flag must be displayed every day during daylight hours and if the flagpole is not adequately illuminated, the national flag must be removed each evening and raised each morning," he said.
"Given the terrain of the proposed location of the flagpole above Mount Panorama signage, it is not practical for a staff member to attend the flagpole twice a day, every day.
"Similarly, there is not sufficient power in proximity to the site to illuminate the flagpole."
But Mr Dymond was undeterred, saying he believed a solution could be found.
"I truly believe that this is something that we can make happen with the support of the motor racing fraternity of teams, drivers and fans along with the wider community," he said.
"We need to project the message that Mount Panorama is an important part of Australia's incredible sporting history and what better way to symbolise that than this?
"Where there is a will, there is a way to overcome any objection and it just requires some entrepreneurship, innovation and passion for our country to get it done. We can do it."