A community that spent seven years rallying for a local motorsports track has taken up the baton again, after plans to build a motorsports complex in west Nowra were scrapped in March.
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The discovery of a protected plant species on the site was the final roadblock in a series of obstacles encountered by proponent Motorsports NSW.
“We want to reactivate the plans,” South Coast Motorsports Inc member Paul Dean said.
“We don’t believe the orchid is endangered at all, it seems to be sprouting up everywhere.”
Devastated by Motorsports NSW’s decision to abandon the plans, locals formed South Coast Motorsports Inc to continue fighting for the track, in consultation with Shoalhaven Councillors Jo Gash and Greg Watson.
Cr Gash and Cr Watson want council to take on the project, and submit a development application for the track funded by the Economic Development Budget.
It is understood the joint notice of motion will be addressed at the next council meeting on September 26.
Mr Dean believes Shoalhaven City Council may be able to assist with required environmental offsets, and at least seven of 13 councillors will vote in support of the track.
“It was close to being approved (by the Joint Regional Planning Panel),” he said.
“The difference is now, we believe council is better placed to get the land suitable for development.”
Mr Dean’s conscious that tensions may flare at the council meeting.
He has urged his supporters to show up in force.
“The Greens will be furious,” Mr Dean said.
“It makes an enormous difference who's at the council meeting, rest assured there will be quite a few Greens there on Tuesday night.”
There is a petition with more than 7000 signatures on it, in support of the track.
The draft notice of motion contends the track will stimulate the local economy; there will be almost 90 direct and indirect jobs created in the construction of the complex, 20 direct and 14 indirect jobs created in the ongoing operation of the track and 59 direct and 24 indirect tourism and events jobs created.
