PLANS for a second Mount Panorama circuit have been dealt a crushing blow with the federal government withdrawing $12.5 million worth of funding.
Grants of $10 million and $2.5 million were committed with a spending deadline of June 2026.
However, with the build of a new track by that time becoming increasingly unlikely, the Bathurst Regional Council requested to instead use the grants on the existing facilities at the Mountain.
“Unfortunately, we were advised this didn’t align with the intent of the original grant funding,” said Bathurst Mayor Robert Taylor.
“The project is on hold for now, but council strongly supports development of the second circuit and will continue to work with both the federal and state governments and other stakeholders to make it happen.”
The New South Wales state government has also committed $15 million to the project, including a $5 million grant underpinning the design and documentation behind the development application process.
The second Bathurst circuit was proposed to be a 4.5km FIA Grade 2 circuit southwest of the existing track.
A report on the matter is set to be delivered at the Bathurst Regional Council meeting on June 21.