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Lakeside Park’s flagship event, the Lakeside Classic, has been cancelled as the circuit’s noise issue remains unresolved.
Racing remains suspended at the Kurwongbah circuit, just north of Brisbane, a decision which was made by operator Queensland Raceways in October last year due to mounting fines over noise breaches.
While a number of sprints, regularities, and club days have taken place at the circuit since, the Lakeside Classic, scheduled for July 19-21, would have been the first race meeting at Lakeside Park in 2019.
A letter posted on Queensland Raceways’ website announces the cancellation, which it puts down to Moreton Bay Regional Council’s (MBRC) refusal to grant a moratorium which would allow such events to take place.
Another letter on Queensland Raceways’ website, dated January 1 of this year and to which Tetley had put his name, had advised that circuit management had met with Planning Minister Cameron Dick, local (Kurwongbah) state Member of Parliament Shane King, and MBRC.
That letter, which thanked the minister and local member for their support, expressed a hope for “some temporary moratoria” to allow the Lakeside Tribute to take place in March.
The Tribute was ultimately cancelled and Queensland Racing Drivers’ Championship competition moved to Queensland Raceway in Ipswich.
This week’s letter states, in part: “One of those proposals (to MBRC) was to ask for the re-instatement of the moratorium granted by MBRC so we could enjoy special events like the Lakeside Classic. The MBRC cancelled that moratorium without any discussion with QR.
“Now, the MBRC have refused to grant even that temporary relief for this year’s Classic and brought in yet more consultants to tell them what to do. No dates for completion of the ‘investigation’ have been published.
“Everyone who deals with government knows this is a bureaucratic delaying tactic – hoping that QR, and you, will give up on Lakeside.”
Lakeside Park opened in 1961 but closed in 2001 primarily due to financial issues, in part due to the opening of Queensland Raceway in Ipswich in 1999.
It reopened in 2008 after Queensland Raceways took out a 30-year-lease of the facility from then-owner Pine Rivers Shire Council, which subsequently amalgamated with other councils to form Moreton Bay Regional Council.
It was the latter body which granted approval to use the facility for motor racing again.
Speedcafe.com is seeking comment from Queensland Raceways and MBRC.
