Brisbane, Queensland - The
Pine Rivers Shire Council finally released
their
Expression of Interest (EOI) document for the management and operation of
Lakeside International Raceway to a sceptical motorsport community on Monday.
The EOI gives enthusiasts hope with reference
to "motorised activities", but raises issues worthy of further investigation,
such as the re-branding to "Lakeside (formerly Lakeside International Raceway)"
and it's apparent efforts to exclude some forms of motorsport.
While we are pleased to see historic
motorsport is in favour, most other categories and a plan to address the
community's burgeoning hooning problem are not "preferred uses".
V8 Supercars are singled out for a special
mention, but more worrying is the Council's statement that bans racing by all V8
powered vehicles.
"Further, Council does not
support the return of competition V8 racing to this venue."
No explanation is given as to why the Council
only supports competition racing in vehicles with other engine configurations.
When the PRSC purchased the circuit in 2001
Mayor Yvonne Chapman proudly proclaimed that "Lakeside will never be used
for racing again". LMRE hopes that this EOI represents an honest change in
Council's attitude toward motor racing.
The EOI warns applicants that they must meet
current zonings and be prepared for "proposed zonings". LMRE expects the PRSC will
re-zone Lakeside International Raceway once the
agreement
with the Queensland Heritage Council ends in 5 years.
Lakeside Motor
Racing Enthusiasts president Ian Milton said,
"My immediate
concern is that Council will demand too many uses from this
specialized facility and no organisation will be able to run it viably as a
club-level motor racing circuit. "
"If that happens, us ratepayers are going to
continue to foot the bill for a very long time."
Interested parties must register their
intention to apply by 16 January, 2006 and applications must be submitted by 31
January, 2006. The
Expression of Interest information kit can be obtained from the Pine Rivers
Shire Council website.
Lakeside Motor Racing Enthusiasts' charter does
not allow the organisation to seek the future management rights or ownership of
the circuit, but it is willing to provide assistance to others who are seeking
the return of club-level motor racing to Lakeside.
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