{"id":360885,"date":"2025-05-21T16:08:00","date_gmt":"2025-05-21T06:08:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/?p=360885"},"modified":"2025-05-22T19:56:31","modified_gmt":"2025-05-22T09:56:31","slug":"council-delays-vote-on-motor-park","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/2025\/05\/21\/council-delays-vote-on-motor-park\/","title":{"rendered":"Council Delays Vote On Motor Park"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Russell Carswell, from Triple R Motorsports, at the Ballogie property in 2024<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

May 21, 2025<\/strong><\/p>\n

South Burnett Regional Council is seeking more information about a proposed motorsports park which has been discussed in the region since at least 2018.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Council staff recommended the Development Application be rejected.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Public notification about the Ballogie site began on April 29, 2024, and closed a month later.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Council received a total of 39 submissions – 15 against and 24 for the proposal.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

They also claimed there was no economic need for the facility, it would offer limited employment opportunities and require extensive government funding.<\/p>\n

They said no consideration had been given to appropriate alternative sites and alleged there had been no community consultation.<\/p>\n

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.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

They also stated it would conflict with planning considerations, including the significance of existing motorsports facilities in the North Burnett and Kingaroy.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Cr Erkens said Council should be encouraging development and people to the South Burnett.<\/p>\n

Mayor Kathy Duff said there had to be sound planning reasons to override the officers’ recommendations.<\/p>\n

She said the statement of reasons of difference included:<\/p>\n