THE Bathurst Kart Club is hoping that Bathurst Regional Council will vote to retain the approved location of a go-kart track, saying that the second circuit precinct will not be the right home for it.
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Councillor John Fry has submitted a notice of motion to Wednesday night's council meeting, proposing the track, which is approved to be built in McPhillamy Park, be instead built about one kilometre to the west.
If enough councillors support the motion, the go-kart track would become part of the second circuit precinct.
Bathurst Kart Club president, Mark Dunbar, said the club has previously tried to avoid engaging in "a public stoush" with those opposing the track being built at the top of the Mount, but it is now speaking up to ensure both sides are heard.
- Click here to read the full statement he prepared.
He told the Western Advocate that the chosen location was originally suggested by council and the club can see the benefits of it.
"It is top-notch location and, because it has been going on for so long, thousands of dollars has been spent to make sure it is the right location," Mr Dunbar said.
The club acknowledges the importance of the environment and heritage, and feels that all the studies done have appropriately addressed the issues related to these areas.
"It is our view that Bathurst Regional Council has responded with due diligence by undertaking the appropriate cultural and heritage assessments of the site, including an anthropological survey and cultural heritage mapping, as well as environmental and acoustic assessments," Mr Dunbar said.
"It is our understanding no objects or evidence of Aboriginal traditions, observances, customs, and/or beliefs have been located in the area. Hundreds of thousands of dollars have been invested to ensure council complies with its commitment to respect, protect, and promote Bathurst's Aboriginal heritage assets."
The club is also committed to working with Aboriginal people "to further ensure the location of the karting track does not disrupt Bathurst's Aboriginal heritage assets", and for that reason has built a positive relationship with the Bathurst Local Aboriginal Land Council (BLALC).
However, members of the Bathurst Wiradyuri Elders say the land council doesn't represent the entire local Aboriginal community.
"It should be noted that BLALC do not have any cultural authority to speak for Country, they hold no cultural knowledge for the area and have no right to speak on Wiradyuri cultural heritage matters," Wiradyuri elder Yanhadarrambal (Jade Flynn) said on Tuesday.
He also said he is not aware of the BLALC consulting with the traditional owners about the use of the land.
- Click here to read more of what Yanhadarrambal had to say in response to the Bathurst Kart Club's statement.
Mr Dunbar has stressed the benefits of not only having a go-kart track, but having it located at the top of Mount Panorama.
Firstly, having it separate to the second circuit will ensure the club remains a community group and the track a community asset, not a big commercial enterprise.
"For those suggesting we integrate with the second track, it's simply not viable for our community club to compete with demands we anticipate will be placed on the second track by big business," Mr Dunbar said.
The track itself will comply with international standards, which Mr Dunbar describes as "another string to Mount Panorama's bow" and said will bring people to Bathurst.
Importantly, the track will be a resource the community can use for enjoyment and driving development.
"In particular, our young people will benefit from this track, whether they're interested in motor sport as a hobby, career, or for general driver education," Mr Dunbar said.
People can watch the council meeting, where the notice of motion will be considered, live on council's YouTube channel from 6pm Wednesday.