They had packed into the room to hear councillors unanimously approve plans for a motorcycling facility at Speedway Rd, North Goulburn.

The permanent home, including a clubhouse, canteen and amenities, has been over 30 years in the waiting for the Goulburn Motorcycle Club.

It comes after two development applications and a Land and Environment Court challenge.

“We’re very excited,” president Richard Toparis said on Wednesday.

“There’s no hiding it. This process has been unnecessarily delayed by two years because of objectors, so we’re very happy.”

But while the proponents are rejoicing, objectors are preparing another NSW Land and Environment Court appeal.

Murrays Flat couple Jan and Nancy Cheetham were among five people who spoke during Tuesday’s open forum against the development. All criticised the noise testing undertaken for the development and called on Council not to approve the DA based on “flawed information.”

“There will be a court appeal and we will be backing it,” Mrs Cheetham told the Post.

“...The whole issue is the location. If it were somewhere else it wouldn’t be so much of a problem but this is so close to residents.”

The Cheethams and others claim their concerns about a noise report, which Council’s consultants also initially criticised, were “ignored.”

“What do we have to do to get a proper professional noise assessment for this facility?” she asked Tuesday’s meeting.

Another speaker argued the tests had failed to consider Charles Valley residents, an area she described as a “natural amphitheatre” where racing at Wakefield Park could also be heard.

Mark Herfoss, father of local motorcycling champion Troy Herfoss, spoke in favour of the facility.

BUT councillors on Tuesday were appeased by a review of several noise assessments undertaken for Council by consultants JBA.

While criticising some of the methodology used by the proponent’s consultant, it concluded that “noise levels were generally unlikely to cause significant intrusive impacts” or undermine the area’s amenity, except at the closest residence.

It recommended conditions to address this and enforcement of a noise management plan.

Cr Robin Saville, who opposed the original plan when it came to Council in August, 2013, voted in favour.

“I just say to the motorcycle club that you have had a very big win (with this approval),” he said.

“But you also have a big responsibility to be good community citizens.”

He felt the noise testing had been robust and to now request an independent analysis was a “significant burden” to put on the applicant.

“Council is committed to compliance and the noise is not to intrude on the lifestyle of rural residents or those in the city of Goulburn...We are putting our trust in you,” he said.

Objectors remain skeptical that Council will adequately monitor the complex.

Cr Margaret O’Neill said after extensive testing, it was now time to move forward.

“We all have to give and take,” she said.

The facility, near the speedway, will operate 2.5 days a month or 36 days a year. Mr Toparis said a maximum 40 bikes, ranging from 50 to 500cc were allowed on the track at any one time.

The project involves construction of a permanent earth riding track, stormwater and erosion controls and infrastructure, including a helipad for emergency landings.

Access will be via Speedway Rd.

Mr Toparis stood by the noise testing saying there was no one more qualified than the Club’s consultant, Marion Burgess.

He accused objectors of clutching at anything to oppose the project.

“This facility will help the club immensely,” he said.

“There are people in town who make a living out of motorcycle riding. Troy Herfoss races all around the world and kids look at that and say it’s pretty cool. They want to grow up to be like him.”

Mr Toparis expected the facility will be completed in the next six months.

Deputy Mayor Bob Kirk and Cr Andrew Banfield were apologies for the meeting while Cr Alf Walker declared a pecuniary conflict of interest in the matter. The Pejar Aboriginal Land Council, of which he is chair, had undertaken consultancy work for the applicant.