By KATHRYN BERMINGHAM
THE Melbourne Drift Trike Association will return to riding on a hill off Pakenham Road this weekend after receiving a permit from Cardinia Shire Council yesterday.
The decision follows months of negotiations between the two parties, beginning in April when riders were told that they were using roads in the Galway Gold estate illegally.
A number of restrictions accompany the permit, which takes effect immediately.
In a statement released today, Cardinia Council’s Development and Compliance Services manager Brett Jackson said the club was free to ride, provided it met the following criteria:
- Compliance with a traffic management plan and risk management plan.
- Insurance which fully covers all activities and riders.
- Riding only occurs between 5pm and 9pm on Fridays, and noon and 5pm on Sundays.
- Toilet and bin facilities are on site during all activities and everything taken to the site is immediately removed after each event.
- No activities or equipment to be placed on private land.
- Alcohol is not consumed at the site and people under the influence of alcohol or other substances can not participate in any activities.
- Anti-social behaviour does not occur at any time.
Mr Jackson also said the permit would be subject to other conditions.
“The council reserves the right to prohibit the activity if these conditions are not met, if Victoria Police objects to the activity or if construction starts on land within Galway Gold estate.
“This will be reviewed in six months to determine whether the club can continue to hold events at this location.”
Melbourne Drift Trikes president Greg Lawrence said riders were eager to return to riding after months on the sidelines.
“We’re thrilled that we’ll be back riding on the hill and we intend to work with the council to ensure that we can continue to use the area,” he said.
“This Sunday we’ll be up there before noon to clean up the area and then we’ll have races and a barbecue.
“We’d like to extend an invitation to everyone in the community to come along.”
