Construction of a new FIM/FIA graded motorsport complex in Victoria is now hoped to commence before the end of the year subject to final council approvals.

Cardinia Shire Council is currently assessing and taking feedback from the community on a development plan to build a 3.6km FIA Grade 2/FIM Grade B circuit, located at Pakenham, 56km south east of Melbourne.

Initial plans for the privately funded facility, which also include a rallycross circuit, a 900m CIK Category A kart track, an education and training complex and a 70 room hotel, were revealed in June last year.

However, a lengthy design process has only now seen the development plan sent to Council for review, although project leaders are confident construction could begin this year.

A name for the proposed circuit is yet to be determined.

“The development plan is basically an overlay that goes over the site and maps out the precinct locations and at the moment Council is just getting feedback on that,” project spokesperson Felicity Richardson told Speedcafe.com.

“Once they (council) get all the feedback they will process through that and if they are happy they will give us the stamp, and we move forward.

“Then we can start construction which is really exciting.

“We have just been working on the designs since last year. We have just been working with consultants for ecology, acoustics, traffic and drainage.

“This has taken a bit a time to work through – it was a lengthy process and longer than expected.

“We want to start (building) by the end of the year.”

It is understood Cardinia Shire Council has set a September 25 deadline for feedback to be submitted.