MOTORSPORT: Wakefield Park’s future hangs in the balance
Court ruling limits the use of the provincial circuit to just 11 top-level racing days a yearThe future of Wakefield Park Raceway is in jeopardy following a ruling by the New South Wales Land and Environment Court that essentially restricts the regional venue to just 30 days of motorsport use per year.
Located 12km from the centre of Goulburn and some 200km south-west of Sydney, the venue’s operator has been engaged in an ongoing legal battle with the Goulburn Mulwaree Council regarding the ongoing use of the circuit.
The stem of the noise issues dates to the original consent for the venue from 1993, with the circuit’s use subsequently evolving significantly over the past 28 years of operation, from essentially a limited-use historic club-level track to a year-round venue catering for all levels of the sport.
The court ruling notes that noise complaints from local residents regarding the venue have escalated since its current custodians took over the site in 2006.
In accordance with the decision, events in future will be limited to 95dB, with various tiers of noise level requiring differing numbers of respite days, starting at 11 days for peak “Red Category” events.
Interestingly, included in the definition of motorsport activity are driver training, recreational track days and vehicle testing, all important facets of the ongoing business.
The one silver lining from the decision is that the court has approved the venue’s long-standing upgrade proposals, which include a new multi-level pit complex featuring 14 additional garages, a new off-road experience area and other works, which will now be in doubt in light of the restrictions.
While Wakefield Park has yet to make an official statement regarding the latest ruling, it has immediately cancelled multiple scheduled events.
The location of the tight 2.2km circuit was originally chosen to take advantage of nearby population centres, including Sydney, Canberra and Wollongong, while the venue is a major driver of local business and estimated to contribute upwards of $17 million to the economy annually.
Following the closure of Sydney circuits Amaroo Park (1998) and Oran Park (2010), added emphasis has been placed on Wakefield Park in recent years.
If the venue fails to return to full use, NSW will be left with only Sydney Motorsport Park as a championship-calibre permanent circuit, plus the temporary Newcastle Street Circuit and Mount Panorama.
The Bathurst public road circuit is restricted to only five full-circuit events per year, namely the Bathurst 1000, 12 Hour, Six Hour, the new ARG-backed Bathurst International, plus the more club-level focused Challenge Bathurst.
Over time, Wakefield Park has played host to multiple national touring series, including the Supercars Development Series, the Shannons Nationals, the Procar Champ Series and the Australian Superbike Championship, to name a few.
Noise issues are nothing new in motorsport circles, with several venues around the country operating under the shadow of various local orders and constraints.
A notable recent case involved Lakeside Park in Brisbane’s north, which was temporarily closed in 2018 when issues between the venue operators and the local Moreton Bay Regional Council came to a head.
With noise monitoring equipment installed at nearby residences, the circuit successfully argued that the meter closest to the venue should not be used to register exceedances.
Elsewhere around the country, tracks such as Sandown Raceway and the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit run under strict operating hours and curfews.
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