Motorbike riders moved one rev closer to being able to use a regional motorsports facility last week with land in Pakenham identified as a potential site. 09164Picture: Luke Plummer. By Callan Date
MOTORBIKE riders may soon have a legal place to ride within the region after the State Government announced a potential site last week.
A parcel of land in Pakenham may be the answer for the hundreds of motorsport enthusiasts who have been criticised for riding in the City of Casey’s reserves, parks and streets.
The proposed regional motorsports facility is planned to cater for motorbikes, cars and go-karts on a scale never before seen in the south east.
The Casey-Cardinia Motorsports Committee is behind the push to get the facility established.
Gembrook MP Tammy Lobato is chairing the committee of three Casey and three Cardinia Shire councillors.
The News was inundated with letters in April from disgruntled residents who were being abused by riders tearing up their quiet suburbs.
Many readers said the noise created by the motorbikes was bordering on unbearable and called for immediate action by police to stop the unruly behaviour.
Ms Lobato said the track would go a long way in stopping the illegal riding in the local area.
“This facility would be a regional one and likely to attract state funding as well as other sources of funding including sponsorship,” she said.
“In fact, the committee I chair has already received many pledges of support because of the popularity of the initiative.
“This facility would reap many benefits via the tourism and other spin-offs for the area.”
Cranbourne resident Kristene McGibbony said her family would definitely travel to Pakenham to use the motorsports facility.
“I have three boys under the age of 10 who would love it,” she said.
Ms McGibbony said her children rode their motorbikes in a vacant block of land near their house.
“(It’s) so they can have a ride around in a more spacious area other than the back yard,” she said.
“They are always supervised by an adult, they wear protective clothing and helmet and it usually doesn’t last any longer than an hour.”
Casey manager of city living Richard Amon said a study conducted in 2003 concluded there was no site in Casey suitable for a regional motorsports facility.
“As a result, Casey is supporting the projects in Cardinia as part of the working group to provide opportunities for Casey residents to undertake these types of activities,” Mr Amon said.
Ms Lobato said she had drawn inspiration from motorsport legend Peter Brock after he visited the local area several years ago.
“There is no way that I, or anyone else on the committee, is going to give up until our dream and the needs of so many people are adequately met,” she said.
