By Timothy Neal
Date posted: June 16, 2023
Government funding for the second Bathurst track to be built alongside the existing Mount Panorama circuit has been withdrawn.
The Bathurst council today received a notification from the federal government that the $12.5 million dollar funding would be withdrawn after plans were first drawn up in 2018, with the aim of building a new 200 hectare site slated to be built west of McPhillamy Park.
Two seperate grants of $10 million and $2.5 million for the development of a second track, required that the money be spent by 2026.
Bathurst Mayor Robert Taylor had sought to repurpose some of the funding into the growth and development of the current Mount Panorama facilities, but was told that this didn’t align with the original grant.
“Unfortunately, we were advised this didn’t align with the intent of the original grant funding,” Taylor said.
“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.”
Council has also received $5 million and $10 million in funding commitments from the State Government. The $5 million grant was used to fund the design and documentation that were prepared as part of the development application process.
The track would have been used to ensure that Bathurst could have a racing calendar all year round, and that international motorcycle races could be held in Bathurst.
The circuit was expected to cost in the realm of $52 million to build, with around $25 million coming from both state and federal grants.
A report on the matter will be presented to Council at the meeting on June 21.
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