Bike clubs ‘split’ over Barrabool track plan

By Cherie Donnellan
GEELONG dirt bike clubs are divided over Motorcycling Australia plans for new facilities at its Barrabool track.
Residents have also criticised the motorsport organisation’s plan to build new clubrooms and widen the track at the Haines Rd facility.
Sporting Motorcycle Club’s Cameron Dixon said he and several members had objected to the plans for McAdam Park, fearing complaints from residents would force authorities to close the track “altogether”.
Mr Dixon said Motorcycling Australia failed to consult the club before submitting a planning application to Surf Coast Shire.
He was concerned the plan had further angered Barrabool Rural Protection Group as it continued fighting the development.
“The neighbours seem okay with the current facilities but are against any new facilities and we’re concerned they’ll kick up and we’ll lose the facilities we’ve currently got.”
Mr Dixon said the objecting riders wanted a second track in the region to reduce use of the Barrabool track to keep the residents’ group “happy”.
But Motorcycling Australia chief executive officer David White said a second track was “unnecessary”.
“The McAdam Park facility is capable of hosting both (Sporting Motorcycle Club and Geelong Motocross Club). It makes far more economic sense for the clubs to be at one venue.”
Mr White said the proposed clubrooms at Barrabool were “adequate for both clubs to share”.
Geelong Motocross Club was forced to relocate to McAdam Park in 2006 after complaints from residents and development of plans for a new Breakwater Bridge on part of the site.
Club secretary Mark West said motocross riders were “committed” to staying in Barrabool.
“We made a commitment three years ago with the support of City of Greater Geelong (COGG) to be located at Barrabool.
“That commitment was the underlying factor for State Government to provide one million dollars of funding to save the Barrabool track (in 2009). Without that money and Geelong Motocross Club’s commitment to Barrabool the land would have been sold.
“The Sporting Motorcycle Club couldn’t come up with the money to buy the land in 2009, so without help from us, City of Greater Geelong, State Government and Surf Coast Shire they wouldn’t have any facilities.”
Mr West said the City’s initial proposal of an Avalon site was “not viable”.
“It’s now definitely come to light that Avalon Airport management doesn’t support that site.”