BATHURST Regional Council will pursue a new Mount Panorama location as the site for the go-kart track, but it's not without trepidation.
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At Wednesday's meeting, council resolved to fast-track the development of an international length go-kart track in the vicinity of the old drive-in site and Rayner's Orchard.
The resolution took the wording from councillor Warren Aubin's notice of motion, which he later withdrew after achieving his goal during general business.
In addition to pursuing the new site, council agreed to use money from a $2.25 million loan to fund studies for the site and will attempt to use the existing track design if feasible.
Council will also "vigorously request" to receive financial compensation from the Federal Government, after Environment Minister Sussan Ley's recent Section 10 declaration put an end to the go-kart track project on land at the back of McPhillamy Park.
While six of the eight councillors present on the night voted in support of Cr Aubin's proposal, with just Jess Jennings and Jacqui Rudge voting against it, there was some trepidation.
Both councillors Rudge and Alex Christian raised concerns about council potentially running into the same issues it did on top of the mountain.
Council is waiting for clarification from Ms Ley of the exact area that is considered to be the form of fallen warrior Wahluu in the Aboriginal dreamtime story, as that was the basis for her Section 10 declaration.
There is also another Section 10 application for a much larger area, including the site proposed by Cr Aubin, which has not been determined and council has yet to be provided the details of.
Cr Rudge felt these items could jeopardise the project in the new location.
She said, "I think it's a good spot, I think it's great, but could we not find ourselves in a predicament such as we have in recent past on the Rayner's Orchard site?"
In response, general manager David Sherley said it was essential to have "proper, frank discussions" with traditional owners throughout the process to find a site that suits everyone.
Cr Christian said that he didn't think it would be "palatable for the community to go through what we've gone through up on that mount again" and that council had to make sure the project was "done in a way that doesn't backfire".
In response to those concerns, Cr Aubin said the site was disturbed when it was used as an orchard and drive-in, reducing the risk of the site being challenged on the grounds of Aboriginal significance.
He also said land adjacent to that area was recently turned into a campground and the Aboriginal heritage studies uncovered nothing.
He reiterated that the go-kart track should be at Mount Panorama, finally giving the local kart club a home in the city's motor racing precinct.
"Let's get in, do the studies, find out what's going on there and let's go for it," Cr Aubin said.
"Gee, a club waiting 20 years for somewhere to do their sport, it's unheard of around here."
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