During the recent Shoalhaven City Council meeting, council’s financial director Peter Dun confirmed Australia’s peak motor sport body had shown an interest in developing a racetrack off Main Road 92.

Cr Greg Watson was quick to extol the virtues of an expanded motor racing industry in the Shoalhaven, saying it could bring “many millions of dollars” to the region.

“This is a major industry that could bring an enormous amount of wealth to the area and jobs,” Cr Watson said.

“These opportunities only come along every so often.”

He said the proposal centred in building a racing centre and major regional facility at Yerriyong, near the existing motocross track.

As many major regional racetracks were being closed or facing the prospect of closure to free up land for redevelopment, Cr Watson said there would be plenty of money available to build a new facility on Nowra’s outskirts.

While there was a rumbling of disquiet among some at the meeting, and Cr Amanda Findley even spoke about people racing “goat carts”, Cr Gareth Ward was also quick to defend exploring the motor racing options.

“This is about the everyday Aussie wanting to enjoy their motorsports in the Shoalhaven,” he said.

Council voted to set up a committee comprising economic development manager Greg Pullen, tourism manager Tom Phillips, Roger Walker, Paul Sutton and Trevor Bridge to investigate the feasibility of building a new raceway near Nowra.