The Southern Joint Regional Planning Panel has deferred making a decision on the proposed $19 million Shoalhaven Motorsports Complex at Yerriyong.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The panel met in Nowra on Wednesday, hearing 40 submissions from members of the community and racing enthusiasts as well as proponents Motorcycling NSW.
The meeting at Shoalhaven City Council was attended by more than 150 people and after the panel’s deliberations lasted for more than five hours.
The application sought a staged consent of a masterplan for the $19 million motorsports facility west of Nowra, comprising the upgrade and extension of the existing Nowra District Motorcycle Club and the construction of a new sealed road racing track with administration buildings and parking.
A summary of the masterplan, assessment overview, which included details about noise restrictions, event control and potential tourism outcomes was outlined.
The panel deferred its decision awaiting further information from Shoalhaven City Council and Motorcycling NSW, requesting a further report that addresses issues raised in late submissions in respects to permissability, environmental and noise assessments and specifically addresses the requirements of part 5A of the Enviromental Planning Assesment Act
The panel also wants details of the proposed staging of the masterplan and timing of infrastructure relating to stages as well as a conservation management plan for the whole site and noise monitoring framework.
Chairperson Pam Allen did say no one of the panel were opposed to the proposal.
“This has been a contentious, divisive issue within the community. There is strong support within the community for the project and strong opposition within the community that is mostly affected by the proposal,” she said.
“Some of the issues that have been raised in this meeting and previous meetings haven’t been dealt with and that’s why we have deferred. We want more information regarding noise and conservation impacts.”
Motorcycling NSW general manager Daniel Gatt said although disappointed, the organisation would respect the panel’s decision.
“We are obviously disappointed, we would have liked to have left here today with a determination but we respect the JRPP have a process and its not an easy decision to make,” he said.
“If they need more time, we’ll give them more time and we will provide the information they need.
“We will sit back in the next couple of days and dissect what has happened, look at the resolution of the JRPP and determine what the next step forward is.”
He said the organisation remained committed and determined to continue with the project in the Shoalhaven.
“We have already invested close to $1 million into this project,” he said.
“That is money we could have been putting into the facility but we have to do what the panel wants.”
Shoalhaven City Council last week recommended the JRPP approve the application as a deferred commencement consent.
A date for the next meeting of the JRPP to again discuss the matter hasn’t been set.