Environment Minister Sussan Ley issued a statement to the media on Wednesday saying she would extend the current 30-day protection order for the site by another 30 days while she continued consulting with stakeholders.

But most telling was the fact she also confirmed she had prepared a potential Section 10 declaration that would prevent any future building on the site and any future bulk earthworks.

Ms Ley's statement did not name plans for a go-kart track in particular, but the intention of what she said was clear.

And while it may be early May before the minister makes her final determination, it seems clear that her statement on Wednesday was designed to soften the impact of what that ultimate decision might be.

To her credit, Ms Ley is attempting to walk the middle ground in a debate where the two sides are now irreconcilably opposed.

She faces the unenviable task of trying to draft a document that addresses the concerns of Bathurst Regional Council, Bathurst Wiradyuri elders, the Friends of McPhillamy Park, Bathurst Kart Club and the many Bathurst residents who have closely followed this debate.

From what we know so far about the minister's draft declaration, Ms Ley is attempting to do that by imposing a Section 10 on a smaller area than was indicated on the maps that raised so many concerns (though the proposed final footprint has not been released) and by assuring council that her proposed declaration will not impact racing on Mount Panorama, nor camping in McPhillamy Park during major Mount events.

Perhaps the only stakeholders to come out of this debacle with nothing, then, will be kart club members who could find themselves back at square one after nearly two decades of lobbying for their own track.

The kart club has sought to follow correct procedure through every step of this drawn-out battle and members do not deserve to be left empty-handed at the end of it all.

If a permanent Section 10 declaration is forthcoming, then council owes it to Bathurst Kart Club to make finding a new site for a go-kart track an immediate priority.

Only once a track is up and running can the community be satisfied that this debate is finally behind us for once and for all.

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