The construction of a second circuit at Bathurst has received a further boost with the confirmation of a $10 million grant from Federal Government.
The funding announcement is the latest step of a long mooted $52.4 million project to construct an FIA/FIM accredited permanent circuit at Bathurst.
An area of land west of McPhillamy Park and Reid Park has been allocated for the circuit which will be known as Velocity Park.
The announcement was confirmed today by Bathurst Regional Council mayor Graeme Hanger and Andrew Gee, Federal Member for Calare at the Mount Panorama circuit.
The funding will join $15 million which has been pledged to the facility by New South Wales Government and a further $10 million from Bathurst Regional Council.
While the funding is seen as much needed boost for the project, construction is not expected for ‘a couple of years’, according to Hanger.
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“What it does show is that the State Government and the Federal Government really believe in Bathurst Regional Council,” said Cr Hanger.
“We’re serious about this happening; it really will happen. The $10 million today goes with the money from the state government and the money from local government.
“We’re still a way off from the first sod being turned but there is a pipeline and there is light at the end of that tunnel, and it will happen.
The council put the design of the 4.58km facility out to tender in April which has attracted interested from Australian and international firms.
The successful candidate, which was expected to be revealed last month, is yet to be announced.
Speedcafe.com understands Australian firm iEDM, Apex Circuit Design from the UK and Italian designer Dromo were among the final three contenders.
“What’s happening now is the council has already called for organisations that have got the capacity and the capability of building a track like that,” added Hanger.
“Not everyone can sort of build a 4.5km track and we’ve got three final people who are in the mix; two international, one Australian consortium.
“Tender documents are being drawn up as we speak and they will get those in the next short period of time.
“Then they will go away and they’ll make their designs, and that’s up to them now to come back to us, and that will be many months away.
“That will be sort of probably into next year before that happens, and then there’s a processing of the tenders and a look at them, and see who’s selected.
“Then the state planning authority (Department of Planning and Environment) gets involved, because this project of $50 million, this size, the state planning people need to have a look at it, and that will be several weeks, couple of months.
“So, we’re a couple of years away from a sod being turned but it will happen.”
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