The mayor of Goulburn Mulwaree Council has issued a statement on a controversial development application for Wakefield Park.
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On June 22 the Goulburn Mulwaree Council will hold an extraordinary meeting to determine the application for alterations and additions to Wakefield Park.
The meeting has been planned since December 2020, to allow the applicant the time to complete their development application and respond to submissions.
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In a statement, mayor Bob Kirk said contrary to information circulated on Facebook on Thursday night, a decision had not been made on the matter.
"A report will be considered by council on June 22, this report does recommend refusal due to a number of issues, including noise impacts," he said.
"As the determining authority for this application, council staff have an obligation to consider all factors and impacts, and then present a report to council for our consideration. This assessment is based upon the information council staff sought from the applicant, and the response we subsequently received.
"In my opinion there is still work to do to achieve a fair outcome for both Wakefield Park and the community members living in that part of our region.
"I am proposing to draft an alternative motion to put to councillors which will not refuse the development application, but will allow Wakefield Park time to address some of the concerns with further detail, particularly around noise.
"This would allow them to continue operating, but put a timeframe on the issues to be addressed including a noise management plan, before any approval can be granted."
Mr Kirk said the council did appreciate the positive economic impact Wakefield Park has on the wider region.
"It is our role to balance this with the impacts on community members, which have not yet been fully addressed," he said.
"Community members who put in a submission will be contacted over the coming week and will have the opportunity to present to council on June 22."
The development proposal includes:
- Demolition of the existing pit lane building and associated structures
- Construction of a new pit lane building consisting of:
- 14 additional garages
- Space to enable corporate functions
- Terrace space
- Race control and commentary boxes
- Office and administration areas, and a medical centre
- Ambulance and emergency response vehicle parking
- Construction and use of new off-road experience area
- Ongoing use of the existing visitor accommodation facilities in conjunction with motor sport activities
- Use of part of the site for the purposes of short-term camping only in conjunction with attendance at events
- Carrying out general purpose markets up to 12 times a year
- Additional signage
- Water management infrastructure
- Implementation of a new noise management and mitigation framework as well as a new event management plan
- Ongoing operation of the Community Consultative Committee
- Ongoing use of the site for motor sport activities
Members of the community are welcome to attend the meeting on June 22.
