A local developer is hoping to give motorbike riders (above and below) a place where they can ride legally in the City of Casey.By Callan Date
A FAILED attempt to get Casey’s illegal motorbike riders off the streets and into a supervised motor sports facility is set to be revived.
Wayne Maslen said he was preparing a strong case to go before the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) as to why his proposed motorcycle track should be allowed to go ahead.
Mr Maslen will appeal to VCAT in coming weeks in the hope a recent Casey Council decision that ruled out the possibility of the track being established is overturned.
He said the track, which is planned to be situated along the South Gippsland Highway in Tooradin, would go a long way in stopping the public nuisance being caused by the off road hoons riding near residential properties.
The News has received numerous letters and phone calls from residents across the entire municipality, detailing their frustration at the ongoing trouble being caused by the illegal riders.
Mr Maslen said Casey Council had neglected the motorbike riding fraternity.
“Casey has turned their back on the youth and they have turned their back on the ratepayers and they are just avoiding their obligations,” he said.
“It will be an informal recreational track. A grassroots facility where the emphasis is going to be put on safety.”
Mr Maslen said the track would be a commercial operation where people would be charged about $20 to use the facility.
Casey Council denied the planning permit on the grounds that the land was in a Green Wedge Zone and did not meet various planning guidelines.
“The establishment of a track was listed as a priority (by Casey) and I was told I would be given the assistance that I needed.
“But that never eventuated,” he said.
