Finish line in sight for Albany Motorsport Park as rezoning application green lit

The wheels are in motion for the Albany Motorsport Park after the State Government approved an application to rezone its 192ha Drome home, with the final design ready to be put to the public.

Planning Minister Rita Saffioti last month approved the City of Albany’s application to rezone the site on Down Road South from agricultural to special use to make way for construction of the park.

Great Southern Motorplex Group chairman Theo Newhouse said the rezoning approval was a big step forward after more than three years of preparation.

“We haven’t got the chequered flag yet but we can see the finish line and we have a plan that I think the majority of our motorsport enthusiasts are very happy with,” he said.

“Our people are getting very excited; we have a very strong following.

“At the moment we represent seven different clubs and they vary from motorcycles to cars to street cars to cycling, 4WD and tractors.”

The club made its final development application and park master plan public on Friday ahead of the submission to the Joint Development Assessment Panel for final approval.

Mr Newhouse said the group had listened to the concerns of neighbouring property owners and environmental groups and secured further Federal Government approval for the park since the rezoning went through council in February.

“We have gone through all of the Australian environmental bodies for approval,” he said.

He said the first stage of the plan was estimated to cost $15 million, which included the motocross track, 4WD/ATV training facilities, wetland revegetation and fencing and the 3.5km multi-use racetrack.

They hoped to secure approval by the end of the year, with construction to start early next year.

“The first cab off the rank will be the motocross track; that club hasn’t got a home now,” he said.

“Where they were doing their events and activities, that farm has now been sold so they have lost access to that and we are hoping to get something ready for them for the beginning of their season next year.”

Mr Newhouse said the club would need more funding to add buildings, clubrooms and get the park ready to host national events.

“We have got enough to start but we are searching for more funding,” he said.

“We have got an application with the Federal Government at the moment.”