Homeless motocross club set for Avalon site

Andrew Mathieson
GEELONG Motocross Club is set for a new track at Avalon after spending the past year homeless.
City Hall and the club have settled on the Avalon site after spending the past 12 months considering a number of locations.
Geelong’s councillors have yet to rubber stamp the new site, about one kilometre from Avalon Airport.
City Hall kicked the club off its former Breakwater headquarters at the end of 2007 after nearby residents complained about noise and dust. The club was restricted to use of the track for 50 days in the final year at Breakwater.
The old track, built in 1972, struggled to cope with complaints amid increasing residential development.
The club shared Geelong Sporting Motorcycle Club’s McAdam Park at Barrabool last year, while also running some racing events at Colac and Ballarat. The sporting motorcycle club is in its own battle for survival as it tries to raise millions of dollars to buy the Barrabool site.
Former Geelong motocross champion Craig Dack endorsed the Avalon proposal.
He said it would help attract national and international meetings to Geelong.
“We do know that Geelong and surround areas are very motorsport orientated – that was evident with what happened at the supercross at Skilled Stadium with 15,000 people there,” Mr Dack said.
“Motocross has a strong following in this town.”
Mr Dack said he would be keen to accept an offer to have a say in the new track design.
“I’ve designed a few supercross tracks before and a couple of motocross tracks in New South Wales,” Mr Dack said.
“I’d love to be involved in something like this because this is the time to do it – from the get-go.”
City Hall has committed $800,000 to establish the new venue for the motocross club.
Consultants who have conducted a flora and fauna field survey on the site are preparing a report for the City.
Aboriginal Affairs Victoria has approved use of the area under a cultural heritage management plan.
Geelong Mayor John Mitchell hoped a move to Avalon would solve the motocross club’s search for a home.
“Hopefully this long-established motocross club will have a new home and be able to resume its activities at a suitable club site,” Cr Mitchell said.
Geelong motocross club president Gavin Tomlinson said he would not comment on the proposed track because he did not want to influence council’s decision.