Lakeside Raceway gets green light from council

[lakesideguy]

Media Release

Lakeside Raceway gets Green Light from Council

27/09/07 - After a six year saga, on Tuesday 18 September 2007, the Pine Rivers Shire Council voted to enter into a lease with Wrexmere Pty Ltd (Queensland Raceway) to re-open and manage the historic Lakeside Raceway on Brisbane's north side.

The deal still must obtain State Government approval and the lease has not yet been signed, but neither party foresees any major delays.

Lakeside Motor Racing Enthusiasts president Ian Milton said,

"Credit to the Council for demonstrating the vision and determination necessary to deliver a victory for ratepayers, motorsport and common sense. Lakeside will deliver long term economic, social and life-saving benefits to the whole community."

While very pleased with the progress, John Tetley of Queensland Raceway cautioned,

"This is just one more step along the way. Albeit a big milestone, it's not the last milestone by any means."

Work remains before Lakeside can once more be operational. Even though most neighbouring residents chose to live in the area long after the race track was established in 1967, Mr Tetley is currently visiting the UK as part of the continuing effort to incorporate the concerns of neighboring residents.

"Many of the UK tracks have fairly severe noise restrictions and I think there is a lot to be learnt from them", he said.

"Without a lot of physical support for tidying up tyre walls, repairing ARMCO etc, it is possible we will not re-open with racing for some time, but instead concentrate on low investment, low revenue activities as the business finds its feet again and builds up some spending money. That is not to say there won't be speed events like sprints, but full-on racing may have to wait until we have the money to pay people to fix the edges, drains, tyre walls etc."

Cr Bob Millar sits on both the Pine Rivers Shire Council's Strategic & Planning and Co-ordination committees responsible for approving the Lakeside Raceway lease. He said,

"I think it's good for the ratepayers to finally reach a point, after a lot of time and effort has been spent on the concerns of residents, to get to where we can now move forward."

Council minutes showed one of the Co-ordination Committee's recommendations as,

"In addition to the operational and capital development matters, the lessee, in consultation with Council, is to include in the capital improvement program construction of a barrier at the western end of the circuit (known as the Carousel). This barrier may take the form of a vegetated mound or similar barrier."

When asked when he expected to see Lakeside re-start operations, Cr Millar replied, "Two years ago!"

Mr Milton reaffirmed LMRE's position,

"We've always said we'd support the bonafide winner of the Council's tender process and we're very pleased to get to this point after years of people saying that Lakeside was dead and buried, but now it's up to the motorsport community to determine Lakeside's future."

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[cupic]

Great to see the old girl got plenty of life left

[lakesideguy]

MEDIA RELEASE

Long Lease Locks in Lakeside

For Immediate Release: 18 December, 2007


Brisbane, Queensland - Supporters of Queensland's Lakeside Raceway received an early Christmas present this year with the Pine Rivers Shire Council and Wrexmere Pty Ltd (Queensland Raceway) signing off on a long term lease to operate the historic circuit on Brisbane's north side.

The agreement for 30 years, with an option for 10 years, obtained State Government Ministerial approval and will insure the facility celebrates its 50th anniversary on 19 March 2011.

Lakeside Motor Racing Enthusiasts president Ian Milton said,

"We're delighted and relieved by the news, but if we want to get on the track, everyone will have to pitch in and do their part - there's no more excuses for sitting on the sidelines."

When asked what the major challenges were to getting club-level motor racing back to Lakeside, John Tetley of Queensland Raceway said,

"We have all the usual major project hassles including red tape, availability of scarce resources, etc."

Mr Tetley said that an initial $1.2 million has already been secured to invest on rebuilding infrastructure and,

"The rest will depend on how wisely we invest the initial capital input and how many people come and spend their money there."

"We're targeting and hoping to re-open the driver training in February or March next year. Racing, maybe June, depending on a lot of variables including re-education of competitors and neighbour management."

Pine Rivers Shire Councillor Mike Charlton was very excited to declare the situation as "all systems go!" He described the council's vision for Lakeside as,

"Preservation of an iconic motorsport site embracing historic, commercial and club motorsport activities, combined with life-saving driver and rider education and community events."

Cr Charlton said that a legal action in the Planning & Environment Court between the PRSC and Mr Ron Curtis is "unlikely to delay" and is confident in their legal advice because it is "tried and tested" law. Last month a local newspaper article revealed that people had been listed as co-applicants without their permission. The action has been adjourned until 23 January, 2008.

Mr Milton pointed out the significance of events,

"An historic moment is occuring for the people of Queensland, and particularly the motorsport community, because I can think of no other example of a motor racing circuit in Australia being brought back from the brink like Lakeside."

"On behalf of LMRE members, I would like to extend a sincere invitation to anyone who has a passion for motorsport to help us get this deal over the line by registering on-line to help reconstruct Lakeside. You don't need to be an engineer, just bring the right attitude. To be part of history, please visit this site and fill in the form - "www.queenslandraceway.com.au/qrformlake.php."

For more information visit www.lakesideraceway.com.


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