Riders in track win

Andrew Mathieson
A last-minute funding injection from motorcycling’s national body has saved the region’s home of off-road riding.
Motorcycling Australia announced on Tuesday it would provide $1.1 million for riders to buy Barrabool’s McAdam Park.
State Government boosted its earlier commitment of $1 million to $1.27 million to help Barwon Recreational Motorcycling Council reach its fundraising target to buy the McAdam family land.
The family had set Monday as its final deadline for the riders to come up with $3.2 million.
Mr Lindeman was relieved the riders had gathered the case after encountering “sporting bigotry” while trying to reach their target.
“There is a lot of that out there but it’s a legitimate sport,” he said.
Mr Lindeman said residents fighting the motorcycling council’s plan to expand the track into a regional facility would have their say during the planning process.
“There was never any point of even discussing all that until we were sure we would secure the land,” he said.
“As part of this legitimate planning process with Surf Coast Shire, those details about what we may be proposing to do will be released at the appropriate time.”
Mr Lindeman said riders would seek a rezoning to allow development of McAdam Park for a regional complex with additional tracks and other facilities.
Mr Lindeman said rezoning the entire 120 hectares would be “ideal”.
“Just because there is government money involved, it certainly isn’t a fait accompli that it will go ahead,” he said.