HPV bonanza on track

By Rebecca Fraser
CASEY is hoping for a tourist bonanza as a result of Australia’s first purposebuilt humanpowered vehicle (HPV) track in Cranbourne.
Councillors at last week’s meeting moved that provisions be made so the venue, to be located at Casey Fields, could host 24hour HPV events. The provisions include track lighting, pit areas, water and sewer connections and a public address system for major events.
The move is expected to bring thousands of spectators to Casey and millions of dollars in tourist revenue.
Councillors also agreed to arrange a meeting with council officers and representatives of Berwick Human Powered Vehicle and Cycling Club and other cycling clubs to discuss the proposed facility. Clare DeKok of the Berwick Human Powered Vehicle and Cycling Club said the move followed the club’s recent success at the International Pedal Prix in Murray Bridge, South Australia.
Firestorm, from Berwick Secondary College, came first in the senior secondary category and third overall and numerous other schools in Casey and Cardinia were highly placed.
Ms DeKok said the club was affiliated with 50 schools in the area and more than 600 children were cycling as a result.
“There will be no other facility like it in Australia and it will be completely purposebuilt. We are hoping to host 12hour events and then slowly lead up to 24hour events,” she said.
River Gum Ward councillor Wayne Smith attended the Pedal Prix in Murray Bridge on behalf of the council and said the event was mindboggling.
“You don’t appreciate it until you see just how massive it is – 25,000 people were there and it is such a family thing.”
Cr Rob Wilson funded his own trip to watch the races and said it was the best people event he had seen.