Pakenham Auto Club,
P.O. Box 31,
Pakenham 3810
Leticia Wilmot
Council Candidate
20th Sept. 2016
Re: Background Information: Permanent Facilities for Pakenham Auto Club and Koo Wee Rup Motor Cycle Club
Pakenham Auto Club (P.A.C.) was formed in 1972 and affiliated with the Confederation of Australian Motorsport (C.A.M.S.) to promote and foster motor sport within the then Berwick Shire, the area now encompassed by the outer eastern suburbs of Melbourne. In the late 1990’s P.A.C. initiated the Junior Driver Development Program to provide car control experience for local kids aged from 12 to 18 years in a safe, fun environment. The Koo Wee Rup Motor Cycle Club (K.W.R.M.C.C.) had a similar genesis around the same time.
Since those humble beginnings,P.A.C. and the K.W.R.M.C.C. have had several attempts at establishing appropriate facilities at various semi- permanent sites.In late 1999 the P.A.C. secured temporary accommodation on land reserved for the Pakenham bypass freeway. Vacating this site in 2005 left the club unable to properly meet the needs of the then 330 members and saw our membership fall to around 180with the K.W.R.M.C.C. finding itself in a similar position.
Our clubs, had previously commenced engagement with the Cardinia Shire Council in 1998 to identify suitable land within this region to accommodate the diverse needs of various groups who engage in vehicle related pursuits such as P.A.C. and the K.W.R.M.C.C.In 2008 council granted these clubs temporary use of part of a shire owned property at 335 McGregor Rd. Grounds we still use today on a month by month basis.
In early 2010 Council took the decision to apply to rezone the McGregor Rd. property to accommodate both Clubs as well as a proposed commercial Motor Sport development. The proposal put to the council meeting of 17th May 2010 states “The motorsports facility is proposed to be developed by a company involved in motorsports that will lease part of the land (50ha) at 335 McGregor Road for this purpose”. The Heads of Agreement with this developer included a clause to accommodate the P.A.C and K.W.R.M.C.C.adequatelywithin the scope of the project.
Council’s commitment to P.A.C. and K.W.R.M.C.C. had been restated numerous times since then. However in October 2013,representatives of P.A.C. and K.W.R.M.C.C. met with Council CEO, Garry McQuillan to be briefed on the concept plan developed for the site.It was incredibly disappointing to find that the area allocated to P.A.C. and K.W.R.M.C.C. at the western end of the complex (which we understood to be approximately 7 Ha) is completely inadequate for the needs of either club, let alone both. The commercial development had expanded from 50ha. to over 60ha. and no longer included the local clubs.
It is clear that, over time, the priorities of the project have evolved from supporting local community based organisations to supporting a private developer. Obviously commercial return is an important issue for Council but this project started with the needs of P.A.C. and K.W.R.M.C.C. in mind and we firmly believe that our groups should not be disadvantaged by Council’s decision to turn this into a large commercial operation to the exclusion of the community based organizations.
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We also understand that environmental requirements placed on Toomuc Creek and a VicRoads freeway reserve, which were not envisaged when the project was born, have forced a re-appraisal of the development of the overall site, however, we strongly feel that the balance between commercial development and community amenity requires greater scrutiny in this case.
To meet our joint need to accommodate moto-cross, autocross and Khanacross / motorkhana areas, a minimum area of 20 ha is required for use between both clubs. Based on the information presented to us, we understand that the commercial complex will occupy close to 60ha. This isconsiderably more than the 50ha that was constantly quoted as being needed to accommodate the commercial operation, which initially included P.A.C. and K.W.R.M.C.C.
In August 2015 Representatives from the P.A.C. met with the C.E.O. and Mayor and were informed that a separate site was being considered for both the clubs. Further to this meeting a petition with over 600 signatures was presented to council in January.
In response to this petition at the Council meeting 21stMarch 2016 the motion “That the Koo Wee Rup & District Motor Cycle Club and Pakenham Auto Club be advised that Council is actively pursuing a site for a permanent home for both Clubs but that this will not be at the McGregor Road property which Council considers is the preferred site for the establishment of a Motor Recreation and Education Park on a commercial basis.” was carried without opposition. When questioned the C.E.O. thought some details of this other site should be available in a couple of months. To date no further information is available.
As a candidate in the upcoming elections for Council, should you be successful, you will be charged with making decisions pertaining to both the outcome of the commercial Motor Sport development and the very long running issue of permanent facilities for the P.A.C. and K.W.R.M.C.C. Depending on the outcome of the quest for a separate site these two issues may or may not conflict, so in order for electors to make an informed decision we are asking for you to indicate your likely position on this issue.
Should you require more information, or would just like to discuss the issues, please feel free to contact the author:
John Hill,
P.A.C. Property coordinator 2016
Ph. 56 245 049
Email:
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Motor Sport in Cardinia Questionnaire
Were you aware of the K.W.R.M.C.C. and/or the P.A.C. prior to receiving this correspondence.
Yes No
Do you support the current councils commitment to finding a permanent long term location for the community based Motor Sports clubs
Yes No Don’t know yet
Do you support the development of a regional commercial Motor Sport & Education facility within Cardinia Shire.
Yes No Don’t know yet
Do you think these two projects should be combined even if it means downsizing the commercial element.
Yes No Don’t know yet
Do you think providing driving opportunities in a controlled environment for 12 – 17 year olds is an important benefit to our community.
Yes No Don’t know yet
Return via email to:
Or post to : P.O. box 31,
Pakenham 3810