The council’s director community development Neville Ivey said the council had completed a feasibility plan and established a working group and who have identified a number of potential sites around Ballarat.

He declined to speculate on the locations, but The Courier understand sites in other municipalities, including in Moorabool, are under consideration.   

Mr Ivey said the hub remained contingent on funding from state and federal government.

“We continue to lobby in order to source the necessary funds which would enable the commence with this project,” he said.

“There is an opportunity for this to be of national significance and therefore the cost, in terms of this facility, is entirely dependent on funding.

“Importantly, we are seeking to ensure that our existing local clubs have a home into the future.”

He said to bring the council’s vision to life he expected the project would cost upwards of $35 million.

The hub would be a centre for autocross, motocross, drag racing, go-karting, 4WD, khana cross, motorkhana, circuit racing and speedway. The required land size to accommodate the project is between 240-300ha.

Last year, the Confederation of Australian Motor Sport’s chief executive Eugene Arocca revealed Ballarat’s highly anticipated $50 million motor sport complex was CAMS preferred location for a new V8 track.

He estimated a single V8 weekend event could pump between $15 and $20 million into Ballarat’s economy. 

Ballarat councillors Des Hudson, Ben Taylor and Grant Tillett, have taken over the reins of the project this council term from former councillors Vicki Coltman, John Philips and Glen Crompton who were on the motor sports committee.

Cr Hudson said the newly elected councillors will have their first meeting with the committee on January 30.

“Our role in stepping onto the committee will be to continue the momentum of the previous councillors to ensure the significant work undertaken for the project is not lost,” he said.