BATHURST-based MLC Sam Farraway has been accused of running scared on the issue of a go-kart track planned for the top of Mount Panorama, with an opposition Upper House member calling on him to make his position clear to the people of Bathurst.
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Labor MLC Mark Buttigieg was in the Legislative Council chamber last Wednesday when a private motion by The Greens' David Shoebridge asking the Upper House to confirm its support for finding a new location for the track was tabled.
There was no debate or discussion of the motion, and no objections raised within the chamber, so the motion was adopted as formal house business and Mr Shoebridge released a statement to the media saying parliament had "united" against a track in McPhillamy Park and calling Bathurst Regional Council "out of touch" for continuing to pursue the project.
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Mr Farraway rejected Mr Shoebridge's take on the matter, saying the motion passing through the Upper House "doesn't mean anything" and should not be taken as the view of all MLCs.
He said he was not in the chamber at the time of the vote and while he supported a go-kart track in Bathurst he would not be drawn on whether he believed McPhillamy Park was an appropriate location, saying that was a "matter for Bathurst Regional Council".
But that response has now drawn criticism from Labor MLC Mark Buttigieg who said Mr Farraway, as the deputy government whip in the Upper House, had every chance to mobilise dissenting voices to the motion if he wanted to.
Mr Buttigieg said Labor recognised the area earmarked for the go-kart track was culturally sensitive for the local Wiradyuri community, was aware there were outstanding legal claims in relation to the site and believed the "economic case ... doesn't stack up" and supported the track being moved.
"If Mr Farraway was truly against the parliamentary motion which was adopted, then he should have fronted up and spoken out, as well as then voting against the Shoebridge motion," he said.
"As the National Party whip, he should realise that the motion as carried is not only 'a formal statement of Mr Shoebridge's view' but it is now the view of the NSW Upper House."
Speaking to the Western Advocate last week, Mr Farraway said he supported a go-kart track in Bathurst but would not be drawn on whether McPhillamy Park was the appropriate place to build it, saying that was a matter for council to decide
"[The Shoebridge motion] won't change anything for Bathurst Regional Council nor for any movement calling for change in Bathurst," Mr Farraway said.
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