A proposed new motorsport facility in regional Victoria has attracted funding from the state government for the purpose of forming a business case.

The Fiskville project is spearheaded by Moorabool Shire Council and would be located on a former Country Fire Authority site, around an hour’s drive from both Melbourne and Geelong, to the west-northwest of the capital.

The Victorian Government has provided $150,000 towards developing a business case for the project, while Moorabool committed $100,000 in its 2018/19 budget.

CAMS has assisted in the lobbying process, while the project also supported by Motorcycling Australia, Drag Racing Australia, and neighbouring councils (Ballarat City Council, City of Greater Geelong).

The business case would not only assess the feasibility of the project, but also infrastructure requirements, scope for driver training, and potential industry development.

“This represents an outstanding opportunity for Victoria to set a new standard for motor sport facilities and CAMS is grateful for the support of the Andrews Government in assisting with the funding for a business case,” said CAMS CEO Eugene Arocca.

“Motor sport generates more than $700 million of direct economic impact in Victoria alone, based on an Ernst & Young Report from 2013.

“Since that report was issued the sport has grown by more than 40 percent, so the development of Fiskville is an outstanding opportunity for regional Victoria to capitalise on the economic, sporting and community power of motor sport.”

Victorian Minister for Sport John Eren added, “We’re ensuring Victoria stays Australia’s sporting capital – investing in major sporting infrastructure like this so we can host the big events that support our global reputation.”

The CFA abandoned the Fiskville site, used as a training college, in 2015 due to chemical contamination and it has since been subject to a remediation process.

Details on the proposed facility are somewhat vague, although Moorabool has described it as a “multipurpose motor sports venue” and earmarked it as a replacement for Sandown in the event that the Melbourne circuit does indeed close in the medium term.

It has also put the total project cost at between $50 million and $60 million, and would require funding from higher levels of government as well as potentially private investors.