FOLLOWING a charged debate, Bathurst Regional Council has committed to securing $2.25 million in funding for construction on the go-kart track.
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A mayoral minute was presented to Wednesday's ordinary meeting, which proposed to put the money towards the track that has been approved for the top of Mount Panorama.
The funding would be sourced by way of a loan in the 2020-21 financial year.
Council will also continue to seek grants and other funding sources for the balance of $2.25 million required to complete the project.
Councillors were given several minutes to read the mayoral minute before the floor was opened to discussion.
Mayor Bobby Bourke explained the purpose of the mayoral minute was to move forward plans and resolve the issue, which continues to cause debate in the community.
"Council has considered the go-kart track facility on a number of occasions and continues to support the location at the top of Mount Panorama / Wahluu for this facility," he said.
"I consider it urgent to resolve this matter as soon as possible given the current debate in the community.
"The matter is not complex as council's position has been clearly determined by the reports previously referenced in the report you've got there."
Several councillors objected to the short notice they had been given of the contents of the mayoral minute, saying they felt an item of this nature needed to be given more time for consideration.
Cr Jess Jennings went as far as to refer to the process as "complete unprofessionalism".
"Here we have a desperate measure to try and throw money at a go-kart track," he said.
The discussion in the chamber also at times fell back to calls to change the location, and potential legal action that could threaten the project in the future.
After more than an hour of discussion, council resolved to adopt the mayoral minute, but it was a very narrow victory.
The mayor and deputy mayor, along with councillors Alex Christian, Warren Aubin and Graeme Hanger, voted in favour of it, while councillors Jennings, John Fry, Monica Morse and Jacqui Rudge were against it.
MORE TO COME.