Hopes the motorsports complex proposed for Yerriyong would be realised have been completely extinguished after Motorcycling NSW decided to withdraw its development application.
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Gilmore MP Ann Sudmalis conceded in a statement released on Thursday afternoon the proposal had been discontinued and “all possible avenues have been exhausted”.
Motorcycling NSW announced in March it was abandoning its pursuit of the plan after the discovery of a colony of vulnerable orchids was discovered on the site.
However, Mrs Sudmalis continued to push for the project. In April, she enlisted Regional Development Minister Fiona Nash to the cause.
“It is a disappointing, nonsensical result, the entire South Coast misses out on what could have been a positive social and economic catalyst for our great region,” she said on Thusrday.
“Motorcycling NSW already invested over $1 million for all the studies and planning, they had $11 million in the bank for the build and received a Federal Government Grant of $9.5 million, bringing the total investment to over $20 million.”
Mrs Sudmalis said she would try to have the grant funds, committed despite the project remaining unapproved, reallocated even though they couldn’t be immediately transferred.
She said, “It is my understanding that the Joint Regional Planning Panel (JRPP) no longer wanted to deal with the project”.
Motorcycling NSW chief executive officer David Cooke saw it differently, saying his organisation had decided to withdraw the development application.
He said the JRPP told him the DA could not sit unresolved and would have to go to determination, which would require another report from Shoalhaven City Council. Motorcycling NSW decided to withdraw it instead.
“We decided to save council the trouble. The thing had run its race,” he said, thanking Mrs Sudmalis for her efforts to make the track plan become reality.
“I could not have asked for a better person to champion this project. Despite the outcome, Mrs Sudmalis did as she said she would and I, on behalf of Motorcycling NSW, thank her for her time and efforts.”
“I’d also like to again thank the tireless efforts of our supporters in the area, those who worked closely with us on the project, as well as all of the locals who believed this project would be a win for the district and supported it,” Mr Cooke said.
