Representatives of the UK firm tasked to design the new circuit at Bathurst have visited the town to inspect the site.

Apex Circuit Design was awarded the tender to design the permanent circuit, which will be located to the west of McPhillamy Park behind the existing Mount Panorama Motor Racing Circuit, in July.

Staff from Apex, including Design Director Dafydd Broom, were present in Bathurst this week as part of the early stages of the design process.

The company, whose local projects include the Sydney Motorsport Park upgrade and Hampton Downs, will create a master plan and formulate a detailed design before preparing and submitting documents for planning approval.

Based on a timeline of completion of that process in 84 weeks from acceptance of the contract, Apex is expected to deliver the final steps in the first quarter of 2020.

“This is an important step in designing what will be a world-class circuit here at Mount Panorama,” said State Member for Bathurst, Paul Toole MP.

“This will create huge opportunities across the region in driving our local economies, creating jobs and opening doors for new businesses to relocate to the area. I am pleased that the NSW Government is investing $15 million into this worthwhile project.”

Bathurst Regional Council Mayor Graeme Hanger OAM added, “Apex Circuit Design has extensive experience in motor track design and the company has designed and delivered some of the best motor sports tracks around the world.”

Federal Member for Calare Andrew Gee MP said, “I said in my inaugural speech to the Australian Parliament that this was a project I’d be fighting for and I’m delighted that we’re now one step closer to the Second Circuit off and racing.”

A total of $25 million has so far been pledged for the $52 million project, of which $15 million is from the New South Wales Government and $10 million from the Federal Government.

Apex’s tender for design came in at just over $4 million ($3.7 million ex GST).