Off and racing: Albany Motorsport Park secures development assessment panel approval after 20-year battle

The Albany Motorsport Park can approach the starting line after finally securing approval from the Regional Joint Development Assessment Panel by one vote during a marathon meeting this week. It comes after the panel adjourned its final decision on the Drome complex for two months at a meeting in December to give the Great Southern Motorplex Group time to address lingering community concerns. Reconvening on Tuesday for a meeting stretching for more than five hours, 15 community members shared their support or opposition to the project. More than 60 people piled into the City of Albany council chambers to find out whether the park proposed for a 192ha property on Down Road South would get the green light. They were joined by five RJDAP members including City of Albany Mayor Dennis Wellington and Cr Paul Terry. Those against the park, including surrounding landholders, raised concerns over the risk of bushfire, impact on property value, farmland, destruction of native habitat for endangered western ringtail possums and black cockatoos, as well as possible contamination of groundwater and a priority two drinking water source. “There are a lot of silent people that don’t agree with this but are too scared to speak,” neighbouring resident Donna Thomas said. Dr Narelle Hadlow labelled the potential impacts on western ringtail possums in the area as a “matter of national environmental significance” and questioned an “underlying conflict of interest” in the environmental data provided. Some speakers questioned the impartiality of the organisation behind environmental data gathered on the site, with one saying past social media comments from a director of the company seemed to show support for the motorsport park. However one adjoining landowner Lindsay Black spoke in support of the development, saying that “the benefits to the community far outweigh my personal needs”. Engineering firm GHD provided evidence on how the Great Southern Motorplex Group had addressed the key concerns raised at the December meeting. These included the design of the wetland buffer, classification of the water source, consideration of long-term rainfall records on groundwater levels and justification for the efficacy of surface and sub-surface drainage systems. The panel handed down a 3-2 vote with presiding member Paul Kotsoglo and specialist member Shelley Shepherd voting against the development. Motorsport enthusiasts breathed a long-held sigh of relief when the vote was cast, putting an end to more than two decades of campaigning for some of the original group members who represent eight motorsport groups with more than 500 members. The first stage of the project is set to include a motocross track, 4WD/ATV training facilities, wetland re-vegetation and fencing and the 3.5km multi-use racetrack. Speaking after the meeting, Great Southern Motorplex Group chairman Theo Newhouse said the group must now finish its detailed designs before securing further City of Albany council approval to start the first phase of the project, the motocross track. “It has been a lot of work, a long road to get here,” he said. “I think regardless of what was said by the opponents we have done a lot of work, with a lot of professional people to get to this. “I think as a group we have worked really professionally through this whole thing and we want to be proud of this. “It is going to be a long-term thing, it is going to be sustainable. “What I am in it for is to see these young people have an opportunity and every time I go out and see these young kids on their motocross bikes I know why I am doing this. “I think that is worth every minute I am spending on this because that’s our future, they’re our future. “I am delighted that the panel voted in favour of us.” Torbay Catchment Group chairwoman Diane Evers labelled the decision a “travesty”, vowing to continue to fight to protect the area, despite having no grounds to appeal the decision through the RJDAP. “Disappointed would be a mild word to say for it. It’s the wrong decision,” Ms Evers said. “It is a priority two area and that does mean we should be protecting our water resources. “Anyone who lives regionally understands how important it is in WA to protect our water resources but for some reason the rules have been changed on this one. “I can’t say what my options are right now, I believe we will be getting legal support one way or another, there are a lot of people whose livelihoods are going to be disrupted by this. “I just don’t know what the next steps are.” The decision comes after the Federal Government committed $4.99 million towards the project in October, adding to the State Government’s commitment of $5.75m.