Casey Council is set to investigate the possibility of an indoor motocross centre in Casey. 77610 Picture: Stewart Chambers
By Bridget Cook
AFTER exhausting options for an outdoor motocross facility in Casey, the council will now investigate an indoor option.
At Tuesday night’s council meeting, the councillors resolved for officers to investigate the possibility of an indoor motocross centre in Casey.
The council has previously investigated an outdoor facility, but has not yet been able to identify any available land with a sufficient buffer zone.
Cardinia Shire Council has entered into a Heads of Agreement to develop an outdoor regional motorsport facility at a McGregor Road site.
Casey council attempted to form a partnership with Cardinia for the facility, but it was denied last year.
Councillor Amanda Stapledon said it was now time to look at another option.
“We are a sporting and leisure municipality and it is important that motocross is considered in this,” she said.
“Given we are unable to partner with Cardinia Shire and we have not been able to identify any available land with a sufficient buffer for an outdoor facility, why not look into building a facility much like The Shed to accommodate our bike enthusiasts in Casey and throughout the region.
“With diminishing available land because of development, there’s less and less land for our motocross riders to ride safely.
“This is really just to explore the possibilities.
“If the answer is no then we have to accept that, but we have to at least try.”
A model Cr Stapledon suggested was similar to Australia’s first indoor motocross training facility, being constructed in Port Kembla, NSW.
The Australian Indoor Motocross (AIMX) will have a have a track length of about 1.3 kilometres with the shortest circuit being 980 metres.
AIMX manager Scott Holtznagel said being indoors was a great advantage.
“As it is indoors it is not affected by poor weather therefore a person can ride in rain, hail or shine,” he said.
“The proposed site at Port Kembla is in an industrial area and is approximately 8000 metres squared.
“This warehouse is required to be fully insulated to alleviate the noise from the motorbikes.”
Mr Holtznagel said more of these facilities were needed to stop people from illegal riding.
“In the future we will plan to franchise our facility and have them all over Australia,” he said.
Local motocross rider Josh Hutchinson said he would definitely use one.
“At the moment the closest is either Moe or Frankston if you don’t have access to private tracks,” he said.
Mr Hutchinson said he used to have a track on his 14-acre property, but due to noise complaints they faced up to $2000 in fines per bike.
“If the council is willing to place restrictions on people using their own private land for this hobby or practicing their choice of sport then they should provide another public alternative to be used,” he said.
“It is the same as investing money in to public sporting stadiums and pools. Although it may be expensive it is still encouraging people of all ages to engage in physical activity.”
An interim report will come back to a council meeting by 18 September.
