As Ballarat celebrates the first AFL game at Mars Stadium, it is a timely reminder that no worthwhile project happens quickly. Enthusiastic community and stakeholder support is the first step, often followed by years developing a business case, project planning, lobbying, funding and finally building a facility.
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There is no doubt that development of a major multi-use motorsport complex has significant support from motoring enthusiasts throughout the region.
In December 2011, a public meeting was called by the City of Ballarat with a view to gathering 10-12 stakeholders to test the level of support for a motorsport complex.
Almost 30 people attended expressing a keen desire to work together to create a motoring hub catering for anything on wheels. A sub-committee was then appointed using $90k in funding from the state government and City of Ballarat to complete a feasibility study in 2015.
The results were overwhelmingly positive, with a demonstrated case for a new multi discipline development allowing smaller groups to co-locate and share facilities, costs and responsibilities.
The potential to host national and international events was also highlighted, with major tracks such as Sandown facing closure within the next few years and Calder already operating on a much smaller scale due to residential growth.
In 2016, the project was adopted by all councillors.
To date, some 50 sites have been considered within a 30-minute radius of Ballarat.
In order to cater for a wide range of activities, the site will need to be quite large – up to 300 hectares – and will need to be located well clear of built up/residential areas.
Several key factors must be kept foremost in getting the development to the next step. Importantly, it is about so much more than fast cars.
Motoring enthusiasts also embrace history, restoration, conservation, technology and safety with a target market encompassing all ages and a growing proportion of women participating.
The gains to the regional economy are staggering with a predicted $300 million annual benefit.
Tourism, hospitality & employment would be big winners with additional regional visitors and job opportunities within the complex and neighbouring communities. Many businesses could utilise facilities in their own backyard, rather than having to travel great distances to test and develop their products, again providing employment opportunities and a further injection of dollars in to the region.
Driver education is another major benefit; our young drivers would have the opportunity to gain practical experience in a safe environment.
The big question now is “where to from here?” Unfortunately, the four-yearly election cycle for local government, the subsequent change in elected representatives and priorities often results in a loss of momentum for projects.
While this project remains “on the books” with quiet progress in the background, there is some urgency in regaining the drive and bringing the Ballarat proposal back in to the spotlight to gain government and private sector funding and make it happen, as other municipalities express an interest in doing likewise.
The project is too important to be lost to Ballarat.
