By Jessica Anstice
Construction is set to begin on the Cardinia Motorsports Complex within the next six to 12 months, after councillors voted unanimously in favour of the Stage 1 planning permit.
Stage 1 of the world class motorsports complex will see a 3.6 kilometre FIM/FIA graded race track – capable of accomodating V8 Supercars and Formula 1 training – built on a block of vacant land located down McGregor Road in Pakenham.
A planning application for stage 1 of the project was officially approved at a general Cardinia Shire Council meeting on Monday 17 August, which ultimately gave project developer Podium 1 the nod of approval to go ahead with construction.
Once complete, Podium 1 will have invested more than $200 million into the state-of-the-art sporting facility.
“We are ecstatic with the result last night,” Podium 1 Chief Operations Officer Felicity Richardson said.
“It is a great outcome for the Podium 1 team after three extensive years of work.”
The race track will include a large pit building at ground level which will comprise of 33 garages, a hospitality area and a viewing deck that will expand for most of the length of the floor.
The race track itself will have the ability to be spit up into two smaller circuits, each averaging 1.8 kilometres and will include a drag straight and rallycross circuit.
Cardinia Motorsports Complex is expected to host between five and ten motor racing events annually and will be able to facilitate up to 60,000 visitors.
Future stages of the project include a trackside 70 room hotel, a driver education experience centre, a 900 metre go-karting circuit and even a clay shooting range.
“In relation to the hotel that’s coming in future stages, that is so important because we need accomodation options,” Cr Owen said.
“A $200 million investment – I think that this is great for our shire.
“Think about the investment in jobs and that is so important to our community.”
There are three stages as part of the complex, with the remaining two to be applied for in subsequent planning permits.
All three stages of works are estimated to take a total of 2.5 years to complete.
Before works can commence, the developer will need to remove 9.37 hectares of native vegetation.
“I know there were concerns about native vegetation removal,” Cr Brett Owen said at the meeting.
“I believe the proposed condition report does address those concerns, same with the noise.”
Sitting within 1.5 kilometres from Pakenham’s residential outer-rim, the future facility has drawn concerns from a number of residents.
“The reality is this track is going to be within 1.5 to 1.8 kilometres of residential homes and that is a significant impact if you consider some of the operating times on this,” Cr Michael Schilling said.
“I believe council need to be incredibly proactive in making sure these plans sound and also making sure it is going to have minimal impact on the local residents.”
