WHEN mayor Martin Griffin had the vision, many years ago, to place a stake in the ground and declare it for a racetrack that would become Mount Panorama, he did this on behalf of the citizens of Bathurst.
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At a recent council meeting, I asked: "What is the cost to the ratepayers to maintain the circuit annually?"
I was told it makes a profit and the details are commercial in confidence.
To me, this answer is inadequate.
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The people of Bathurst are shareholders in Mount Panorama and their hard-earned rates are used to maintain the track. Therefore, a good news story should be public, not hidden.
Companies on the ASX (Australian Stock Exchange) have to publish their earnings and costs.
Bathurst Regional Council is involved with a unique, iconic racetrack with history that is not in competition with other tracks due to its topography and driver challenge.
I raised this question before the ratepayer is burdened with maintaining a second track as motorsport in Australia is heavily subsidised.
I support regional development so long as it is viable and stands alone.
What matters to me when I look at local government is secure water, a second crossing over the river, services and even a rate pause.
We hear endlessly how the second track would be used 360 days in the year.
I find this unbelievable. For example, the recent media launch of the V8 race was held in Sydney because the journalists would not travel to Mount Panorama.
Democracy is enhanced when there is transparency in the public interest.
