By Rowan Forster
The proposed location of Pakenham’s world class motorsports facility has drawn the ire of homeowners in Heritage Springs, who are dubious of noise disturbances.
Sitting approximately 1500 metres from the city’s residential outer-rim, the earmarked site has already drawn negative criticism from a number of residents.
It comes after years of public unrest surrounding Sandown racetrack, which eventually forced Greater Dandenong Council to regularly undertake noise audits.
Speculation continues to mount over the future of Sandown, with motorsport authorities convinced that the closure of the iconic facility is inevitable.
If the complex did eventually close, it would bring a huge increase in traffic to the slated Cardinia racetrack.
For Jon Turner, who lives on Gallery Way, the proposal gives him “anxiety”.
He claims the location – at 335 McGregor Road – is too close to Pakenham’s booming residential area.
“It will only be a matter of time before the noise becomes too much for people to bear,” he said.
“We already have to deal with the bypass and at this rate we’ll have exhausts blaring all weekend too.
“I’m all for the racetrack, but put it a bit further away from people’s homes for crying out loud.”
Site plans released on Monday have proposed a number of ambitious inclusions, including an amphitheatre, skid pan, corporate suites, a hotel, medical centre and helipad.
Land at 335 McGregor Road will be subdivided into three lots – with the first accommodating the Pakenham Auto Club and the third housing the long-awaited racetrack.
Tony O’Hara also weighed in on the proposal, concerned about the impact on the Blue Horizons and Henty estates.
“This track is almost certainly a future replacement for Sandown and needs to be placed a bit further from residential areas,” he said.
“I used to work about the same distance from Sandown and it was loud on practice days, let alone the race day.
“Even one kilometre (further) away would be better.”
Cardinia Shire has since revealed its preferred developer for the project, Podium 1 Pty Ltd.
“Over the next 20 years, the south-east of Melbourne will be home to more than one million residents – a population larger than Tasmania, Darwin and Geelong combined,” Mayor Colin Ross said.
“Council is keen to see this site developed, both as a venue for events and as an employment generator for our community.”
A meeting to determine whether to sell the land after consideration of any submissions will be held on 23 July.
