May 21, 2025
South Burnett Regional Council is seeking more information about a proposed motorsports park which has been discussed in the region since at least 2018.
Triple R Motorsports’ proposal, which involves the construction of a facility on Lot 34, Lewis Duff Road, Ballogie, has been working its way through Council’s application process since 2020.
The group’s application for a Development Permit for a Material Change of Use for the area was finally listed on the agenda for consideration at Wednesday’s Council meeting.
Council staff recommended the Development Application be rejected.
Council first issued a formal request for information about the project on July 13, 2022, and since then there have been documents flowing backwards and forwards between Council, the proponents and their consultants.
Public notification about the Ballogie site began on April 29, 2024, and closed a month later.
The Development Application includes the motorsport facility (two oval speedway tracks and a dirt drags track), ancillary facilities including a spectator parking area, caretaker’s accommodation and a tourist park.
Council received a total of 39 submissions – 15 against and 24 for the proposal.
Opponents cited noise, air and light pollution, loss of amenity and quality of life, impact on health, loss of productive agricultural land, bushfire risks, land contamination, impact on water quality, soil erosion, an increase in rubbish attracting feral animals, impact of noise on wildlife and livestock, an increase in crime with the influx of spectators and competitors, increased traffic and a negative impact on property prices.
They also claimed there was no economic need for the facility, it would offer limited employment opportunities and require extensive government funding.
They said no consideration had been given to appropriate alternative sites and alleged there had been no community consultation.
Submissions for the proposal said it would be beneficial to the community, provide a safe place for residents/youth to race, other events could be held on the site and it would support employment as well as providing a recreational and entertainment facility.
Council officers found the proposed development was not directly associated with a rural use in the Rural Zone, and could compromise long-term use of the site.
They also stated it would conflict with planning considerations, including the significance of existing motorsports facilities in the North Burnett and Kingaroy.
It was also located away from major town centres in the South Burnett and would be an impost on emergency services, despite the proposal including the construction of a helicopter pad on site.
Cr Jane Erkens moved, seconded by Linda Little, an alternative motion, ie. that the Council approve the Development Application subject to a large number of conditions.
Cr Erkens said Council should be encouraging development and people to the South Burnett.
Mayor Kathy Duff said there had to be sound planning reasons to override the officers’ recommendations.
She said the statement of reasons of difference included:
- A demonstrated need for a new motorsport facility servicing the region, and possibly south-east Queensland, following the closure of Archerfield Speedway and the Wondai Sprints
- It complements a range of motorsport activities and events
- The use does not fragment agricultural land as the area is used for cattle grazing and this use can continue
- The application is consistent with the promotion of sporting tourism
- It would provide a location for a hard-to-locate sport within a reasonable travelling distance of towns
- It would attract a new industry to the region to provide economic opportunities and employment
- In regards to access to medical facilities, the area was not considered remote and other significant events occurred within the region a further distance away from Kingaroy Hospital
Cr Erkens said young people could probably become members of the club and use the facility.
Cr Little said under the proposed new conditions it could not be used for concerts (such as the recent Rabbits Eat Lettuce event at Stonelands).
Standing Orders were then suspended to allow a discussion about the proposed conditions, noise and operating hours.
Councillors then voted that the matter “lay on table” and more information be sought again from the applicant.
The motion was passed 5-2, with Cr Deb Dennien and Cr Heath Sander voting against.
This means the Development Application will now not be reconsidered by Council for at least another two months.
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You would think the the Rabbits Eat Lettuce event was worse than the “Black Plague “
I vote yes to the park. Simply, the proposal is far enough out of town that noise pollution would only affect a small number of people and the land isn’t quality farm land.
I personally live not far away and can hear events that happen out here that aren’t my cup of tea but they make other people happy.
That is life. Approve it and let them get on with it.
I vote YES. Unfortunately you can’t please everyone as some will agree and disagree. A great opportunity for racers, spectators and to the local community. I believe it is a win win situation for all. Russell from Triple R Motorsports has put his heart and soul into working on this wonderful project & it would be great to see more people supporting him.
I live 13km from Kingaroy but can hear the Speedway clearly when it is on. Do I complain? NO! It’s a minor thing to me but it brings a huge benefit to our town. If someone has the land and is prepared to spend the money to develop something like this then let them! We need to encourage developments such as this, not keep finding reasons to say no. I vote Yes.
We should not be surprised SBRC vote down or impose impossible restrictions to new applications. After all, it’s what the region voted for.
During the election campaign, the mandates were clear, it was even advertised in the paper that the incoming candidates wanted to go back to the old days, how things were. Standing up as anti-progress was somehow framed as our region’s future …